The partnership roles of information technology in expanding access to smallholder (community) information: a model for Lirhanda Quaker Community Media Centre, Kenya
Jemymah Ingado Seru, George Gundu Shibanda · 2012
The area of study suffers from major challenges facing developing world as far as communication and information access is concerned. Thirsty for knowledge and information for educational and decision making processes among the small holders is evident. There is lack of books and means of rapid communication at low cost making access to knowledge and information hard. However small holder communities in this area are becoming increasingly aware of the powerful role the new information and communication technologies can play or help in their struggle for education, democracy, economic and social development. These challenges can be met, among others, through provision of public access communication and information services while allaying the technical means of communication problems. The bottom line is that the empowerment of the small holder is feasible through services as; on-site and distance education, employment opportunities, training, entrepreneurship, online information access to libraries, archives and institutions. In addition specialised services can be offered to agriculture, health care, business dealings, legal matters and expert advises or consultancies. This paper therefore discusses the role of Information Technology in expanding access to knowledge and information in small holder communities.