f. - UZSpace Home - University of Zululand

is repackaged in the local language - Duruma. With support from the
Ministry of Health in Kenya and other partner agencies, such as the Aga
Khan Health Services Kenya, African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF),
Care Kenya, Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), HealthNet Kenya,
Plan International and the World Vision, AfriAfya now has 53 health
facilities/centres in Kwale District alone. This has had a significant impact on
health matters in the district, especially in tackling HIV/AIDS. According to
Dr. Christopher Wood, the AfriAfya Board chairman (Jebet: 2003), "we are
what we know. Information plays a critical role in health and development".
In its efforts to empower the rural poor through ICTs, AfriAfya trains the
rural community in computer skills such as accessing and packaging
information for the community.
8.2.2 ALIN-EA Arid Lands Information Network - East Africa (AUN-EA).
AUN-EA (2006:1) describes the organisation as a non-profit, non-political
NGO, which promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between
Community Development Workers (CDWs) in the Arid and Semi-arid Lands
(ASALs) of Eastern Africa. The report further states that the network has a
membership of over 1500 CDWs working hand-in-hand with marginalized
grass-root communities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania.
According to Ombok (2000:32), ALIN-EA has joined up with the digital
broadcast pioneer World Space Foundation (WSF), USA, to get information
to the remotest parts of Kenya using digital satellite broadcasting. Ombok
explains that the World Space satellite network is an innovative
communication technology that enables people to access information in
remote villages where there are no telephone lines or electricity. It uses
three geo-stationary satellites launched over Africa, Asia and America.
Ombok adds that the satellite and digital technology enhances terrestrial
radio, and information can now be availed to remote settlements via Wireless
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