Organization: Rural Communities Empowerment Center (RCEC)

Focus Areas:	Children, Technology, Economic Development, Education, Gender & Equality
Countries Served:	Ghana

Description of Services:
Libraries: Full-service libraries, a place for school children to do homework and receive mentoring. Teachers use the library resources to supplement teaching materials and to pursue their own personal study and development needs. Children Facilities: A place for the community's youngest members to read, explore, participate in educational and technology fun-filled activities. Technology: Teachers, primary and high school children as well as adults are provided an introduction to technology to help bridge the digital divide. Women's Facilities: Facilities that help reinforce women's capacity to empower themselves through vocational training.
History:
Accomplishments & Progress:
In less than five years in the two pilot CRCs and neighboring communities: -- Citizens are displaying more confidence and excitement over and awareness of the benefit of technology and information exchange. Over 3,000 school children and close to 1000 adults have been given introductory classes in ICT and more than 7,000 have used the Internet. -- Gender equality is on the rise. Women are now articulating their needs and those of their children. Adolescent school girls? drop-outs are receiving training in tailoring. -- Interest in reading has increased sharply with estimated 20,000 eople mostly school children and teachers using the library facilities. -- 13-17 yr-olds are receiving mentoring in reading, math, science.