Microsoft congratulates the following Unlimited Potential (UP) grant recipients. We are proud to support their work.
China
All-China Youth Federation (ACYF)
ACYF is a government-organized NGO whose mission is to support nonprofit social-development objectives and serve as an umbrella group for all youth organizations in China. This project supports the ACYF's One Thousand Schools - Million Migrant Youth Workers (MYW) Training Schools, providing training to China's large migrant population. This training helps ensure that trainees are not excluded from the use of the technology that is rapidly transforming Chinese society. Microsoft funding will support the creation of three pilot CTLCs (10 PCs each) in Beijing in MYW schools, with eventual replication to their 2,000 community centers. The grant will include curriculum development, staff training, and training for migrant workers and youth. Microsoft will help ACYF set up the computer training centers in the MYW schools and will help provide additional training.
Cyber S.P.O.T.
The Cyber S.P.O.T., a CTLC project of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, is an existing CTLC that aims to provide information technology learning opportunities for the youth in the community. This project builds on an existing CTLC foundation to provide new training courses for the young people so they can increase their skills, knowledge, and techniques for the most advanced and commonly used software. The funding from Microsoft will upgrade the current lab of 15 PCs and provide funding for training and curriculum. Microsoft Hong Kong employees will provide technical support for set-up and will assist with training-course manual preparation.
Indonesia
Indonesia Women's Coalition for Justice and Democracy (KPI)
KPI, founded in 1998, promotes gender equality, serving as a forum for public policy debate regarding women's political rights and facilitating collaboration between organizations, groups, and individuals concerned with women's issues. KPI has established a network of Women's Training Centers in villages to provide learning opportunities and places for communities to meet. With Microsoft support, KPI will create five CTLCs at existing Training Centers located in towns where Microsoft has business partners (ADTPs and CTECs), who will be engaged to support the centers. The proposed CTLCs will primarily target KPI members but will also be available to the community.
The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and open Asia-Pacific region. The foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance and law, economic reform and development, women's participation, and international relations. Microsoft support for the Asia Foundation will help create CTLCs in three poor communities in Indonesia. These CTLCs will provide Internet access during the critical time leading up to the 2004 elections, as well as IT skills training. Each CTLC will be located in a FORDA (regional forum) office that is open to the community.
Japan
e-elder
E-elder, founded in December 2000, provides IT access, training, and work experience for the elderly. This project will establish e-elder as a CTLC intermediary in Japan to assist Microsoft Japan in creating and supporting CTLCs across the country. E-elder will expand their scope beyond the elderly to disadvantaged youth and adults and will partner with Microsoft. E-elder will act as the program coordinator and be responsible for program planning, coordination, and implementation, with close communication with Microsoft Japan. This is a two-phase program, with the first phase focused on getting the program designed and running. The second phase will further develop the program and, by June 2004, develop 23 CTLCs. Three CTLC partners are included in the first phase: NPO Yomikaki PC, Iruma Enjoy Using PC Group, and Senior Net Sendai. Microsoft Japan plans to create a virtual network of employees to assist CTLCs.
Korea
Kangbuk Senior Welfare Service Center (KSWSC)
Kangbuk Senior Welfare Center, founded in 2000, provides over 7,000 senior citizens with a variety of services such as education (including computer education), daycare, and health care. Kangbuk, the area of Seoul north of the Han River, is considered the more disadvantaged part of the city. Seniors are a growing proportion of Korea's population (7.3 percent of the nation's population of 46 million), and only 10 percent of seniors know how to use computers and the Internet. The result in that seniors become isolated from society. KSWSC currently provides IT training for beginners and mid-level users. Microsoft funding will support the CTLC to upgrade the lab, expand IT training courses, fund additional IT instructors, and purchase appropriate textbooks. The Microsoft Korea volunteer club, Together, will help support the CTLC IT instructors and help maintain the facilities.
Cathay Charity Foundation
Cathay Charity Foundation, established in 1980, provides support for social welfare, education, and environmental issues. The foundation established the Cathay Education Center in Tamshui, Taipei County, to offer educational opportunities to the disadvantaged community, including adult educational courses and summer camps for children. The center is organizing regular week-long summer/winter camps at Cathay Education Center for 500 aboriginal children ages 10 to 12. The camps will offer opportunities to broaden the children's education and will include IT skills training. Taiwan's aborigines typically live in remote areas that are undeveloped and very poor; children often drop out of school at an early age to work. Microsoft funding will support the upgrade of the existing lab and sponsor the IT training program at Cathay Education Center. Microsoft volunteers will be involved with the camps, and children will visit the Microsoft Taiwan office as a field trip.
Labor Service Center
The Labor Service Center is a governmental educational center that provides employment and training services for unemployed workers. Taiwan is currently seeing record unemployment rates combined with a shift toward a knowledge-based economy. There is an urgent need to train Taiwan's unemployed in IT skills. Currently the center has three computer classrooms for public use and another in development. Microsoft funding will sponsor the center to design a complete computer course containing 8 to 10 basic to advanced courses for the unemployed and those who are seeking lifelong learning. Microsoft employees will volunteer to assist with training courses.
Malaysia
Petaling Jaya ICT Community Centre (PJCC)
PJCC, founded in 1996, is a program based on a partnership of government, nongovernmental, and private organizations and communities. PJCC develops community-level programs in which senior citizens support underprivileged youth and families. With support from Microsoft and in partnership with other local organizations, PJCC will establish a new CTLC to provide ICT access and training to the less fortunate in the Petaling Jaya community. The CTLC will be located in a newly constructed building and will consist of 16 PCs. It will target the poor students and children staying in homes and orphanages in the vicinity. Microsoft Malaysia will extend the current CyberCare program for underprivileged children to this new facility and will encourage employees to become engaged in this effort.
Singapore
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Infocomm is a new and used PC program set up to offer assistance to low-income families. Support from Microsoft will contribute to the strategy of using Infocomm for connectivity, creativity, and collaboration, one of the four strategies supporting the Connected Singapore vision.
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