Jul

16

By Karin ter Horst

A story from a Dutch intern in Nigeria

Really, I couldn’t wait to open my inbox in my internet browser. I hadn’t used my laptop for a whole week so it took some time to starting up. I entered my password to log in and saw 81 new mails. Where to start?! I scanned quickly all the messages on my screen: mails from my Dutch friends who were missing me, photographs from my father and invitations for summer parties. Besides these messages there were also less attractive messages, like reminders for library books and bank accounts.

This was the first time I had access to the World Wide Web after one week staying in Nigeria. For me, it’s a new record! Never in my young life had I lived such a long period without Internet. Although I was busy with learning to eat Nigerian spicy food last week. Besides I also had to learn some Pitching English and a few African dance moves from students in Lagos. So actually, I didn’t have the time to think about using Internet or checking my Facebook. Maybe you think it’s crazy, but in the Netherlands I’m used to do it at least four times a day!

My whole life I wanted to visit Africa. This summer I got the chance to do a development internship in Lagos. So that’s the reason why this internet addicted Dutch girl came to Nigeria. In this country you have to pay for every minute you’re online. Normally I should take all the possible time to answer my messages and to upload some new photographs on my travelblog. But now I will be as fast as I can, because of my host family. I made a plan to read all these 81 mails. I decided to start with the most urgent mails. So I sended my dad a mail that I’m still alive in Africa.

In the Netherlands it’s normal that everyone has access to information and communication technology (ICT). Additional you can use broadband Internet for a standard amount a month. That makes it’s possible to search, learn, shop and communicate on your personal computer (PC) or laptop: at office, home, school and university, wherever you want. Nowadays there are a lot of people who are using the Internet on their laptop or mobile phone when they are travelling. Children with the age of four years are already playing educational games on the PC and young people build their social networks by chatting and social media, for instance Facebook. Another possibility for foreigners, for example, is to call with family in other countries with Skype. Internet makes the world smaller and accessible.

The man was head of the family and was all day working, that’s what the traditional roles were in a Dutch family, 50 years ago. Women stayed at home to take care of the children and to clean the house. Nowadays, the most Dutch women have a job also, mainly part-time. It’s normal to go studying after primary school. Both, for boys ánd girls. To be honest, girls finishing their university in average earlier than their male fellow students.  For so far the access and use of ICTs is the same for boys and girls to raise their goals. But one thing has to be said: Boys will spend more time on online gaming.

Then, my time was up, I had to turn off my laptop. The Korean girls who were also staying at the host family really wanted to chat with some friends in South-Korea, so they were waiting. But I forgot almost the most important thing: my mail inbox from the university. So the last thing I did was checking if I received some results of exams by mail. That wasn’t the case, the only thing I received was a message that I should order my new books for next college year. But that’s an issue to worry about later. First I will enjoy Nigeria. With or without Internet.

Jun

25

W.TEC Camp Flier

2010 W.TEC Camp Flier

See flier or www.w-teconline.org for more information.

Jun

15

WTEC_Camp_Flier

We are now accepting applications for the 3rd edition of the W.TEC Girls Technology Camp. The technology camp will take place in Lagos in August 2010 and is a W.TEC initiative aimed at helping girls develop an early interest in computers and other information technology, as well as enabling them develop positive images of technology-related careers. The long-term goal is increased numbers of women working with and using information technology productively for professional and leadership activities.

This is a 1-week residential program targeted at girls in JSS 2 to SS2, during which the young women will participate in technology workshops which include introduction to the computer, overview of computer hardware, learning to use some software; with games and activities intended to foster team and leadership qualities. Camp participants will also discuss social issues, especially those that affect young women. The camp will end with an exhibition of the girls’ work.

Fee: The fee for the camp is N50,000.00 for the successful candidates. This covers the registration fee, tuition, boarding and feeding costs.

A limited number of scholarships and discounts are available for girls whose applications are successful and whose parents or guardians are unable to afford the camp fees, so we highly encourage all qualified girls to apply.

Apply online or read more about the camp.

Jun

2

The first half of 2010 has been a busy time for W.TEC with a number of activities.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK CELEBRATION:

International Women's Week Celebration

International Women's Week Celebration


In March, W.TEC organized the International Women’s Week Celebration to commemorate International Women’s Day and Week. It featured presentations by Josephine Nzerem (Human Angle), Amy Oyekunle (Kudirat Initiative for Democracy – KIND) and Oreoluwa Somolu (W.TEC).

The theme of the celebration, in line with the United Nations, was “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All” and aimed at educating on women and human rights and the role of information technology in economic and social advancement.

The celebration was well attended by representatives from government agencies, local community & faith-based groups, media, students, W.TEC supporters and alumni. The presentations elicited thoughtful and spirited discussions. Photos are available online: http://bit.ly/9SPttj

2ND YOUNG WOMEN’S ICT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME:
In April, we successfully organised our 2nd Young Women’s ICT Empowerment Programme (YWP).

The focus of the YWP was to enable participants develop skills that they can use to earn income. Participants learnt to create professional fliers and posters, compose interesting photographs, video record and edit short films, set-up blogs, and set-up online businesses. Photos are available online: http://bit.ly/daTCCd

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS:
In line with our desire to collaborate with other groups to promote women’s development, W.TEC spoke at several events. At the February Technology Times Outlook 2010 Business Summit – a gathering of technology leaders and players – Oreoluwa Somolu (W.TEC Exec. Director) spoke about opportunities for women in Web 2.0 and online social networking.

In March, Oreoluwa was invited by IBM to speak to women staff at their IBM International Women’s Day Web Seminar. Speaking on the seminar theme of ‘Stories that Bind’, Oreoluwa shared factors that shaped her career trajectory with approximately 15,000 IBM global staff.

UPCOMING: 3RD GIRLS TECHNOLOGY CAMP:

2009 W.TEC Girls Technology Camp

2009 W.TEC Girls Technology Camp


Our 3rd W.TEC Girls Technology Camp will take place from August 8 – 14, 2010. The 1-week residential camp for secondary school girls is aimed at building foundation computer and information technology skills and equipping girls for living and working successfully in an increasingly technology-driven world. To find out how you can nominate or sponsor a girl, contact us at info@w-teconline.org.

We thank you for your continued support of our work. We send special thanks to people who have supported our programmes this year by volunteering their time and expertise, donating cash or in-kind resources and sponsoring women to participate in our programmes.

Sincerely,
Oreoluwa Somolu
Executive Director, W.TEC

May

7

World Summit Youth Award Website Image
The World Summit Youth Award – WSYA selects and promotes best practice in e-Content and technological creativity, demonstrates young people’s potential to create outstanding digital contents and serves as a platform for people from all UN member states to work together in the efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, and to tackle ill-health, gender inequality, lack of education, lack of access to clean water and environmental degradation.

Apply online by June 20, 2010.

May

6

W.TEC's Young Women Programme

This training starts on Monday, May 10 2010. Call +234.1.850.9782 or +234.819.115.0387 or email info@w-teconline.org for more information.

Additional link.

Mar

31

Dear Colleague,

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC is pleased to inform you about our 2nd Young Women’s ICT Programme. Please share widely with people who you believe will benefit from this opportunity.

The Young Women’s Programme will equip young women to use online tools for learning, leadership and professional development.

This course will cover:
• Word Processing (Creating professional CVs, Posters, Newsletters)
• Editing Images & Video
• Online Job Searching
• Promoting Businesses Online

Criteria: Young women between ages 18-30 years, who are currently in tertiary institutions, seeking admission, or recent graduates

Date: Monday, May 10 – Friday, May 14 2010 (9AM – 4PM Daily)

Fee: No fee is required for the program except the registration and course materials fee of N 5,000 only

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC is a Nigerian non-governmental organization working to encourage Nigerian girls and women to use information and communication technology (ICT) to empower themselves socially and economically.

For more information, contact W.TEC at 0819.115.0387, 01.850.9782, or info@w-teconline.org.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Oreoluwa Somolu

Mar

31

Dear Colleague,

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC is pleased to inform you about our upcoming Information Management 101 course. Please share widely with people who you believe will benefit from this opportunity.

This course will cover:
• Word Processing (Microsoft Word)
• Creating & Managing Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)
• Presenting Information (Microsoft PowerPoint)
• Basics of Internet & Email

Level: This is an intensive Introductory Level course, which will give participants a good foundation in information management tools.

Date: Monday, April 26 – Friday, April 30 2010 (9AM – 4PM Daily)

Fee: N15,000.00

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC is a Nigerian non-governmental organization working to encourage Nigerian girls and women to use information and communication technology (ICT) to empower themselves socially and economically.

This Information Management 101 programme is open to both men and women, although women are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, contact W.TEC at 0819.115.0387, 01.850.9782, or info@w-teconline.org.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Oreoluwa Somolu

Jan

14

PSA: Online Scams

January 14, 2010 | 1 Comment

Most people should know that you can’t believe everything you read on the internet, especially when it comes to emails that purport to hold the key to getting rich quickly. When something sounds too good to be real, it usually is. However, online scams have become more sophisticated over the years.

If you get an email from what you think is your bank or any institution that you have an account with asking you to verify some details if not your account will be shut-down, please IGNORE this and call your bank/institution directly to check. And DO NOT use the numbers provided within the email; use the phone numbers that you are already familiar with (check your past correspondences with them).

A sample scam or phishing tactic is as follows:

*****************************************

GTB Logo

Dear Guaranty Trust Bank Customer:

We regret to inform you that access to your GTBank Online Account and Atm Cards has been temporarily limited.This might have occurred due to a recent change in your personal information. (eg: change of address,PIN number or billing address) or submission of incorrect information during initial registration .To restore your account please log in correctly here:

Please verify and update your account details by clicking on the link below:

http://www.URL.com/

Failure to verify your information might lead to the temporary suspension of your account access for security reasons.

*****************************************

Jan

12

Grace Hopper Celebration 2010 Poster
The Call for Participation is now open for the 2010 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing at gracehopper.org/2010/participate/call-for-participation

Key Deadlines:
* The deadline to submit proposals is March 16, 2010.
* Notifications on the submission status will be sent out by May 18, 2010.

Recommendations to anyone who wants to participate:
1. Your subject should not be something specific to your organization.
2. If you have a panel – it needs to span across organizations – not 5 people from the same company discussing an issue in their company. Combining academics and industry or interdisciplinary discussions are great.
3. We are encouraging submissions that promote diversity and International participation.
4. A submission in line with the theme of the conference “Collaborating Across Boundaries” would be ideal.

Proposals are being accepted for:
* Birds of a Feather (BOFs) Call for Participation

* New Investigators Technical Papers Call for Participation

* Panels, Workshops and Presentations Call for Participation

* PhD Forum Call for Participation

* Technical Posters Call for Participation

* Technical Research Papers Call for Participation

Full details are at gracehopper.org/2010/participate/call-for-participation/

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