Post-Tsunami ICT Regional Bridge-Building collaborative initiative

During February 2005, NGO SPES initiated post-Tsunami practical ICT friendly neighbouring connectivity between the magnificent Islands of Mauritius and the Maldives, in collaboration with WorldSpace Satellites / Toulouse diffusion systems, in response to UNESCO / PARIS appeal for learning / sharing technical Transfer of “psycho-social pedagogical “ Training to benefit rapidly regional community-based sustainable development.

Thanks mainly to Rotary Club / London sponsoring and local pro-active social vorkers it was proved that “the Sky is the limit” in our e-Generation.

Seeing that José Delaitre, a past President of Rotary Club / Curepipe and an active social voluntary member of NGO SPES was able to fly to the Republic of the Maldives Islands for encounters with Education Promoters.

Virtual souvenir photos in a travelog-form of José’s memorable Maldives trip, via Dubay / Colombo to the Maldives ( 18 – 22nd February 05 ), assembled by NGO SPES “Vocational and Multimedia Training Center” that is situated at 7 Avenue Labourdonnais Quatre-Bornes in the centre of the Mauritius Island, and which is equipped to diffuse multimedia lessons via the WorldSpace Satellites innovative CLASS – Combined Live Audio and Slide Show – system simultaneously to several sites and countries.

On the plane back home to Mauritius via Dubay for a transit relaxation day José felt that he had accomplished a very enjoyable ICT Bridging Mission, however it was established with WorldSpace that they should also test the beams of their other Satellite AsiaStar as they both converge ideally over the Maldives Islands, as depicted in the WorldSpace Satellites coverage area map.

Concurrently to the Maldives post-Tsunami ICT bridging friendly mission SPES using ICT via WorldSpace Satellites / Toulouse, OPEN DAYS were organized locally by the SPES from 18th – 22nd February to demonstrate the CLASS system simultaneous new approach to diffuse computerized multimedia interactive e-vocational training skills to save in transport costs of trainees.

Seeing that two middle-aged ladies, ex-textile factory workers are presently free trainees at SPES QB Training Centre and are learning digital skills to start a Small Bakery Enterprise, a series of virtual photos show how our NGO’s e-Creative lessons are effective and fun-learning and help to Bridge the Digital Gap rapidly at all Age Levels.

On the Spotlight at the launching on Friday 18th a Microwave Baking Multimedia Lesson of a Healthy Cake decorated with Papaya was taught simultaneously via WorldSpace satellite monitored by the SPES Quatre-Bornes Hi-Tec Training Vocational Unit at 7, Avenue Labourdonnais and diffused to a group of 35 young kids, who twice weekly gather for friendly free meals at the Resto Du Coeur, at Baie du Tombeau, a few kilometres away, run by the Cangy Family and Village Neighbours.

Another e-Highlight of the OPEN DAYS for Public Awareness was the demonstration of the SPES Weavers of the new semi-computerized handloom and they wove our Mauritian designs using also recycled local fibres such as Sanseveria, (mother-in-laws tongues). A colour unit hand woven textiles like tablecloth and fashion clothes, co-ordinates to matching table potteries and fashionable jewelry were on display.

On the Monday 21st all were very encouraged by the gracious visit of the Honourable Minister Madame Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Women, Family Welfare and Child Development, who spontaneously handwrote the following remark on the SPES electronic wall board : Je suis très impressionnée par l’excellent travail de SPES. Congratulations. Keep it up!