The new Computers for Tanzania programme (CFTS), which is being spearheaded by a group of Rotary clubs in Gloucestershire, aims to set up a computer lab with 10 computers in every state and mission secondary school in the country.

The Rotary Club of Cheltenham, Cheltenham Cleeve Vale, Cheltenham Sunrise, Cheltenham North, Severn Vale and North Cotswolds have joined forces to start up the new Tanzania programme and are committed to running it for the first year, raising funds and sourcing computers. They have applied for a matching grant to raise further funds. The Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam has also pledged support in Tanzania and will oversee the running of the programme and the expenditure within the country. The Rotary Tanzania programme aims to supply 700 computers to 70 schools, setting up a computer lab with 10 computers in each.

We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Tanzania programme

ITSA is looking for further sponsorship to take the Tanzania programme forward after the first year and aims to distribute 1500 computers a year hereafter, delivering IT teacher training and technical support to all recipient schools as well as dealing with final disposal of computers when they are no longer of use.

The programme was launched on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar in early 2007, with the consignment of the first 70 computers.

Here it is being run by an NGO, Computers for Zanzibar Schools. The Ministry of Education in Zanzibar has provided storage and technical services through the Karume Technical College, as well as facilities for meetings and initial start-up funds.

We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Tanzania programme, says Abdul Mzee, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education in Tanzania. The programme will finally provide the essential IT skills to our youngsters that can generate positive lives.