We are in the process of implementing our programmes in Salamieh, Syria, and have been working with different local structures, including the UNDP-sponsored Salamieh Telecentre.

Why Salamieh?

Salamieh and its neighbouring villages represent a population of over 100,000, half of which is under the age of 25. While reasonable educational facilities are available locally, with universities located in neighbouring cities, the population is generally lacking proper access to the global knowledge society for a number of reasons: the limited extent (qualitative and quantitative) of information sources; broadband internet has just been made available for private users, but is expensive by local standards - in the near-future, therefore, dial-up internet will remain the norm; location outside the tourist trail; only a minority has a good level of English, although the population as a whole is well educated; and only a minority reads otherwise than by necessity (e.g. for work). It should be noted that these features are widespread in Syria, and in the region generally.

It was decided to start operating in Salamieh for a number of reasons.  First, it is a city the co-founders of the Foundation know well - it is the hometown of one of them and a place visited several times by the other. Secondly, preliminary research confirmed local interest in this sort of programmatic activity. Thirdly, although there is limited available shelf-capacity (or room to install more) amongst existing libraries, there are partnership opportunities, such as with a local internet cafe for a discrete LDP pilot project we are currently implementing.

Our local team of volunteers

The fourth and final reason why we selected Salamieh was that it was possible to establish and train a local team of volunteers. Thanks to this team, the pilot projects are more efficiently run and will hopefully be more effective. In supporting pilot implementation, these volunteers are gaining valuable experience both at an individual level and for the Foundation: they are building up the experience that will underscore the expansion of our current programmes. 

What is the Salamieh Telecentre?

The Telecentre is a computer and language training and resource centre established under the Reefnet Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Reefnet Project aims to implement the information and communication technologies (ICT) goals agreed between the Government of Syria and the UNDP. The Reefnet Project has two key objectives: (a) computer literacy, which is implemented through a network of telecentres; and (b) English language acquisition, with which we are now assisting.