Where there is no Internet: Experiences from rural Honduras 2013–2015: Phase I implementation

Abstract

ACTS is a non-profit organization based in Norwich, Vermont. Since 1986 ACTS has partnered with rural villages in the mountainous Locomapa region of the Yoro district of Honduras with a focus on sustainable community development. In a region where a 6th grade education is the norm, a major initiative of ACTS has been improving educational opportunities. In 2008 ACTS helped the community of El Rosario open a community library. To help expand their offerings we have investigated ways to bring technology to the community. As part of this effort we have partnered with the community to install two wireless networks that serve educational content, such as Wikipedia, e-books, and Khan Academy videos. The long-term plan for this initiative is to continue installing self-contained educational nodes, connect each node to form a community mesh network, and eventually connect this network to the Internet. Community feedback and training has been a major part of this project and will be the key to its sustainability. This case study will cover design considerations, implementation methods and lessons learned while working with the community. An emphasis will be given to the technical considerations, but will also cover the importance of community organization. We are still collecting information from the prototyping phase, and continue to work on plans to further scale the current deployment.