Bridging the digital divide through Community User Information Systems: Kitsong Centres

Botswana Technology Centre started a pilot project named Community User information Systems whose main aim is to develop computer communication systems (telecentres) that would enable communities in rural Botswana to have access to integrated email and online information. The centres have been in operation since 2004. An impact assessment survey was carried out in 2009 to find out how much the centres have made in the lives of these communities. This paper therefore seeks to share the results of this impact assessment, lessons learnt and experiences gained from operating these centres as well as recommending new services, future operations models and strategies for an improved benefit of the rural communities. These findings and recommendations can also serve as guidelines to other researcher who are looking at or already bridging the digital divide through use of tele-centres.