Arusha — ACTT (Affordable Computers and Technology for Tanzania, www.mkombozi.org/actt ) is a new venture for Mkombozi Centre for Street Children providing skills in computer maintenance to young Tanzanians.

Eight former streetboys currently living at the Mkombozi residential centrein Moshi, have completed a weeks training course to becomecomputer hardware technicians and experts in computer maintenance. The training provided by ACTT has taught them how to maintain a computer, fix computer problems and become competent in basic computer use.Over the next fiveyears with computer use in Tanzania expected to rise dramatically, these boys now have a very valuable skill giving them many opportunities for their future. These young men now have the opportunity to be employed by ACTT and they will be selling and fixing computers for the community, enabling them to earn and save money and eventually become self-reliant and leave the residential centre.

Information Technology (IT) is important and ACTT is addressing the need for computers within educational institutes and NGOs within Tanzania. Information Technology is a key way for alleviating poverty in Tanzania and giving young people opportunities to widen their horizons and build workplace skills. Therefore the project combines the NGO Mkombozi's vision to build a more just society for all, with a pragmatic response to the need for self sufficiency.

ACTT are planning to sell refurbished Personal Computers (PCs) to educational institutes, NGOs, CSOs and individuals within Tanzania at affordable prices. ACTT will provide four main services, the sale of the PCs, installation of the PCs, maintenance of the PCs and basic IT training to the staff. ACTT has created several computer packages to meet everyone's needs and these packages contain different numbers of computers and different types of equipment. ACTT will also offer the ability to upgrade smaller packages to larger packages so that you can build your IT facilities over time.

It is hoped that as the project grows, more boys from the centre and from within the community will be given the chance to gain more computer expertise. Through ACTT, young people who have experience living on the streets are being given the opportunity to show their talents and a chance to learn a valuable skill. They will be able to leave Mkombozi with a profession. Street children and youth on the streets are thought to be a nuisance, but as ACTT is showing, when they are given a simple chance they have many skills and can exit street life.

If you are interested in purchasing a computer from ACTT please email actt@mkombozi.org or call 0745958218 for further information. Through working with ACTT, you will be helping members of your own community to gain a livelihood.

The NGO Mkombozi centre for street children works with vulnerable children and youth in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions of Tanzania. Mkombozi give these children and youth, a chance and a future. Visit www.mkombozi.org for further information.