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Tag - ICT

Sri Lankan Nenasala Program wins award from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Nenasala Project which is implemented under the e-Sri Lanka Initiative, introduces several models of knowledge centres which are established in the rural and semi-urban population with aims of spreading ICT services. The project which has targeted for 1000 knowledge centres have now successfully deployed 800 centres.  This e-Library Nenasala Program (eLNP) has increased the ICT literacy from below 10% in 2004 to almost 40% today.

In recognition of its impact, the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation has awarded the 2014 Access to Learning Award to the eLNP program. The award includes a sum of $1 million which is to be used to further strengthen the program.

Deborah Jacobs, director of the Global Libraries initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation expressed her views after the announcement of the award “Without a doubt, the e-Library Nenasala Program is making a real and lasting impact on the lives of poor rural residents throughout Sri Lanka. People are getting locally relevant information and hands-on experience in the subject areas that matter most to them. Community members have a real investment in these centers, which promotes their longevity and sustainability for many years to come.” 

Achieving such an award and obtaining the recognition for one of our ICT development program is something us Sri Lankans should be proud of. Kudos to the many people behind the project and best of luck in achieving the 1000 centre goal.

You can read the entire press release here.