Mahavilachchiya Model e-Village

According to the project website, The HorizonLanka Foundation first aimed to close the information gap in Mahavilachchiya by introducing a single computer and giving basic computer lessons. Over a number of years, more computers were added to the programme and more and more students took interest in the new technology. According to the organisers, by helping local families purchase computers through the Digital Butterflies project, more of the community began to familiarise itself with the concept of ICT, especially children. The content of the computer training provided by HorizonLanka began to become more complex with children quick to grasp web designing and graphic design. These young people subsequently have been able to design and produce all HorizonLanka Foundation related web sites. In 2004 an internet connection and computer lab were installed in the village, which aimed to increase access to communication to help to reduce isolation, provide education and economic opportunities and ultimately improve the quality of life.

The development of the e-Village project aims to bring about positive change in the community by introducing people to the advantages of ICT usage in seeking developmental solutions. For example, by giving the community access to information like weather forecasts and national news, the villagers can use this information to make decisions on harvesting and selling their produce and on job opportunities. The villages would be able to access information from all over the world, and bring better communication links between the people in the village and those across the country. According to the organisers, access to the internet, an understanding of ICT and training in these areas will improve the quality of life of the community. The project will focus on enhancing the community by ICT education, providing them an access point to internet from their homes and ICT centre and other related services.

6 main steps have been identified for making Mahavilachchiya a Model e-Village.

1. Relationship Building - Before beginning to create the e-Village, HorizonLanka Foundation must begin forming relationships with local organisations and people to gain the support of local schools, temples, police authorities, government officials and the local community.
2. Installation of Equipment - PCs and internet are linked to a network hub, which means at one time 7 people can surf the net.
3. Training and Workshops - In order to educate the community, staff must understand what needs to be taught. Members of the Horizon Lanka team will be given 'Training the Trainer' courses in order that they will be able to disseminate the ICT message correctly.
4. Implementation of ICT Educational Plan - HorizonLanka Academy has an ICT Educational Plan for its students. They have weekly lessons in all aspects of ICT. For the community, the Educational Plan will begin with a series of training sessions and workshops aimed at introducing the community to the concept of an e-Village and familiarising them with ICT usage and its benefits. In the future, it is hoped that the community will begin taking a more active interest and at this point, HorizonLanka hopes to offer them more advanced tutoring and even organise official training courses for them through some of the institutes with whom they have firm relationships. The ICT Educational Plan will also aim to give individuals specific information relating to their profession, i.e. farming, co-operatives, which may be of benefit to them. The foundation is developing e-learning materials and hopes to establish a portal of educational materials in native languages. By developing educational materials in local languages the e-village hopes to share the knowledge that it has learnt.
5. Other Services to the Community - The project hopes to provide the community with a wide range of services. A multimedia library containing books, newspapers, periodicals, Audio CD/DVD, Audio cassettes, downloaded data CDs and other relevant reference materials will be implemented. Team members also conduct information searches upon request. Basic communication services will also be provided including secretarial services, webpage and graphic design. Digital photography, graphic designing and digital arts is another service currently provided by the e-Village group. By sourcing contracts from local and international businesses the team aims to enhance the skills base of the youth and provide further diversification of income within the village. With the financial assistance of donors HorizonLanka seeks to acquire the necessary equipment to commence videoing and video editing education within the community.
6. Implementation of MESH Technology - MESH technology will enable all homes with a PC to enjoy the benefits of wireless internet connection for free.

Technology

According to the project website, at the time of this writing, two hundred rural students in Mahavilachchiya are receiving quality ICT education, through the Horizon Lanka Academy and over thirty computers are established in the village. National publicity has been received by the foundation as a model ICT education centre for rural communities. It also states that Mahavilachchiya is the only rural Sri Lankan village with 24-hour internet connectivity and is also one of the few villages with a fully equipped computer room and a practical ICT educational plan to educate each of the villagers.