George Thusong computer certificate ceremony

August 2011

Introduction

The programme started in the year 2004 with 7 computers donated by USA now known as Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA). The programme secured funding from the then Department of Social Services, and since we did not have a trained facilitator, we outsourced service providers. Two people were later trained in the year 2008 and 2010 and the centre no longer requires services of a service provider. In the year 2007 USAASA refurbished the centre and donated 10 computers, 1 printer, camera and a photoprinter.

The training is an ISETT Seta accredited and all the manuals were approved by Microsoft who is a partner of the centre.

Participants are welcomed on the 1st day of class and they introduce themselves in order to familiarize with one another and the environment. Facilitator introduces the course contents and the ‘house rules’ for the duration of the course. Then the course starts with the introduction of a computer and its parts.

The centre provides Microsoft 2007 packages which include:- keyboarding, MS Word 2007, MS Excel 2007, MS PowerPoint 2007, Internet and emails. Participants write a test after every module and the pass mark set is 75%. If one does not pass, there is a re-write. After the course, each participant prepares a PowerPoint presentation, which he/she presents to the whole class in order to demonstrate skills learned.

Key achievements

Since the year 2004, over 500 participants have received training from the Thusong Centre. Most of the participants got jobs in institutions like banks, insurance companies, Shoprite/Checkers and South African Polivce Service (SAPS) as well.

Key Challenges

• Space too small to accommodate all the people on the database.
• Shortage of computers.
• The centre cannot charge market related prices because of the community it serves.
• Centre does not have a data projector.
• One of the facilitators still need to do a facilitators course and centre does not have funds to send him.

Conclusions

The plans for the future are to extend the tele-centre, so that at least they can have 20 or more computers. They would also wish to expand the programme to other areas.

The institution that supported the projects are as follows;

• USAASA: 021 418 3122
• Microsoft South Africa
• Department of Social Development