“get connected”
Fesootai Centres (Telecentres or ICT Centres) have been established in 12 rural villages throughout Savaii and Upolu as part of the Universal Access objective outlined in the National ICT Strategy. The community run centres, give Samoans access to, awareness of and skills in ICT. Located in villages where many people have never seen a computer before, help and training is offered to people who are unfamiliar with new technology.
“Affordable and Reliable ICT for All,” Feso’ota’i centres make ICT available for people to keep in touch and up-to-date with the latest technologies in the world. Fair prices and a variety of services including, internet, passport photos, family and group photos, colour printing, copying, scanning, phone, fax, webcam, projector hire and CD burning give people access to a variety of services they previously would have had to travel to the capital for.
.jpg "Passport Photo Printing")
The project is sponsored by numerous donors including, Government of Samoa, ITU (International Telecommunications Union), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), VIA Technology and APT (Asia Pacific Telecommunications). However, the centres aim to become sustainable and independent businesses over time. Solar power pilot initiatives have been successful and future developments include establishing an administrator training centre in Savaii, pilot broadband connection and increasing the number of centres available.