Digital empowerment
1 / 12
Digital Outreach Library at Karonga Museum
2 / 12
Delivery of two Starlink kits to Kasungu district
3 / 12
4 / 12
Collaboration with international partners
5 / 12
Installation of Startlink
6 / 12
7 / 12
Computer Lab at Lusako Primary School, Karonga
8 / 12
Technicians working at Chiputula Primary School, Mzuzu
9 / 12
10 / 12
Installation of solar powered street lights at Chiweta
11 / 12
Providing computers for visually impaired learners at St Mary's Primary School, Karonga
12 / 12
About
Our mission is to bridge the digital divide in Malawi by providing innovative and sustainable solutions that address connectivity, access to devices and digital literacy for the 85% of Malawians who remain unconnected.
To achieve this we commit to:
- Establish affordable and reliable community wireless networks in underserved rural and urban areas.
- Extend internet services to schools, health centres and community hubs to ensure widespread access.
- Partner with organisations and donors to provide affordable or donated devices to schools, individuals and community groups.
- Promote the reuse and recycling of technology to ensure accessibility for all.
- Develop and deliver training programs aimed at improving digital skills for marginalised communities, particularly the youth and women.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to create culturally relevant and accessible educational content.
Connecting you
Our approach to providing connectivity gives ownership to schools and communities, tangible skills and opportunities to the youth and affordable internet access to people living in the most challenging environments.
Stakeholders are given ownership of the internet. Village heads, school management and development committees are engaged to discuss and guide the best approach to implement the project in line with cultural practices and community values.
Our skilled technicians are seconded from local technical colleges giving opportunities and aspirations for the youth. They are fully trained to professionally install the infrastructure which will provide internet connectivity to schools and communities.
Stakeholders assist in selecting suitable candidates to be facilitators for the community based digital committee. Successful candidates undergo a training of trainers' program administered by Community Wireless Networks.
Affordable access to the internet allowing adults and children to learn how to use a computer in an inclusive and friendly digital environment. Enabling online digital e-learning and improving their social-economic life through access to the internet.
Partners
Community Wireless Networks Foundation is committed to building partnerships with global and local organisations to address the barriers of providing infrastructure and affordable internet access. Also, to provide devices to schools and marginalised communities and to create culturally relevant and accessible educational content to support learners.
We have successfully partnered with unconnected.org to implement over 50 Starlink internet connections, 40 mesh networks / hotspots and 3 computer labs.
World Mobile for the implementation of WiFi Stars token payment software to enable affordable access to the internet, also to provide internet capacity for the Starlink connections.
Computers for Enhanced Education, Mzuzu, to provide affordable devices to schools and communities and K2 Taso, Kasungu, who donated Mac Books for out digital outreach library at Karonga Museum.
Next Generation Africa to install the Xulendo educational content digital library into Malawian schools, enabling teachers to share resources and learners to access high quality and culturally relevant learning materials.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to ensure our work aligns with national education strategic plans.
Case study
Karonga Museum Digital Outreach Library
In the heart of Karonga, learners of all ages attend lessons in digital literacy, accessing the internet and education apps using MacBooks, the latest in digital technology. They are supported by our trainers to enable them to develop digital skills and to work towards equalling the playing field for our learners. Girls and boys work together… learning is interactive and fun!
All members of the community can enjoy access to the internet by purchasing affordable hourly tokens to connect to our Museum mesh network, providing them with high-speed access for business, communication and education.
Come and join us!!
Accolades
In 2021, we won first prize in the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge with our innovative Community Sponsored Digitalization (CSD) model, empowering communities to own the internet.
This project supports the government’s flagship ‘Connect a School Program’ and is a large-scale educational intervention, working in partnership with both the government and the private sector to deliver a combination of broadband internet, ICT equipment, and capacity training for teachers in Malawian schools.
Our approach aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Malawi National Digital Strategic Plan 2030. It also contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" and SDG 9: "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
Contact
Community Wireless Networks invites individuals, organisations and governments to join hands in creating a digitally inclusive future for Malawi. Together we can empower communities, transfor lives and bridge the digital divide.
If you would like to connect, please contact us.
T: 0889593703 / 0995974945
A: Karonga Museum, Karonga
Community Wireless Networks Foundation