ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT (EIYE) BY STELLA NEKUUSA Principal Librarian-National Library of Uganda

PROBLEM/COMMUNITY NEED High rate of Youth Unemployment Lack of skills to use ICT/access points Idleness, desperation, vulnerability to vices, manipulation Idle unemployed Youth involved in political demonstrations

SOLUTION Keep the youth busy Get the youth active and productive EIYE aims to Provide basic ICT skills Connect youth to opportunities Improve youth socio-economic status Build confidence

HOW Training them in : essential computer applications; internet connectivity; mobile phone sms communication Provide free computer and internet access Provide them with instant information on opportunities via sms Create a database of information relating to their needs.

PARTNERSHIP AND ROLES EIFL Main project funding organization NLU Grant recipient and overall project coordinator Librarians Train the youth Create a database of their information needs Communicate information via sms Advertise and market the project

PARTNERSHIP and ROLES contd National Youth Council Identify unemployed youth and their needs Market the project among the youth Masindi and Lira Local Governments Provide infrastructure Market the project to central government Youth Enable the implementation of the project and market it to other youth

TECHNOLOGY Computer sets for document processing Projectors for group training Mobile phones for communicating information instantly via sms Internet connectivity for sourcing information and social networking

IMPACT Computer Literacy-400 people who had never touched a computer can now search for information on the internet. Find job openings and required skills and qualifications, find training opportunities. Job Seeking- So far 1 copy typist, 1 secretary, 1 records officer found jobs Job creation- Hope for self employment provide secretarial services etc. Study opportunities-Students applying for university education online

IMPACT Cont.. Computer applications- A pastor testified that he no longer has to pay for secretarial services which saves him money and time. Internet Networking- The students now have accounts, face book and tweeter accounts to share current information and communicate. Information-Market information is accessed on Google trade. Confidence-At the World Book Day celebrations Public Debate, students confidently got involved in the debate on e-books vs. printed books.

LESSONS LEARNT Challenges: Computer illiteracy among youth is overwhelming (90%) Language barrier which caused drop outs and students lagging behind Computers are few compared to demand for the service Achievements: Youth turned up in large numbers showing interest in the project and are proudly talking about their new skills which has widely marketed the project.

CONCLUSSION Emulating the project in other public libraries Starting with libraries that already have computer and internet technology in the library Start a mobile computer training service I GOT THE JOB! IM BACK IN SCHOO L WE KNOW THE FACTS

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME