PROJECT PRESENTATION

The E-Caravan-Phœnix is a fully equipped mobile computer and internet school, aimed to empower the local communities in the formerly occupied areas of South Lebanon through teaching computer and IT skills, especially for youth, women and persons with disabilities. In January 2006, Fondation Saradar in partnership with UNESCWA launched the E-Caravan project. The project builds on the original E-Caravan project the vehicle which was destroyed on 29 July 2006 while parked at the Intermediary School of Ayta Al-Shaab in South Lebanon.
The new E-Caravan is equipped with a network of ten PCs with flat screens, one laser printer, one LCD projector with screen, two satellite connection modems, an air-conditioning system, a water dispenser, and other accessories. The E-Caravan-Phœnix also includes a ramp that facilitates the access of physically disabled persons and special software to provide the blind and the visually impaired with the necessary IT knowledge. The content of the different training sessions is based on the needs of the target population. The project is implemented in partnership with private companies involved and in collaboration with the concerned municipal councils, existing local and international organizations and UN agencies.

The project is managed and executed by Fondation Saradar in cooperation with UNESCWA, Italian NGOs operating in South Lebanon, UNIFIL, and other potential partners which provide additional resources to the project. The main local partners of the project are the municipal councils of the various villages. The municipal councils provide administrative support, coordination and networking with the selected participating municipalities, security arrangements and power supply.

As a mobile computer school the E-Caravan-Phœnix travels to remote areas and villages that lack IT centers, technical institutions or adequate telecommunication infrastructure. Furthermore, satellite Internet connection is provided for areas that have no Internet access. The E-Caravan is covering the entire Southern region during the life of the project, with a target of participation of 65% women and 5% disabled persons.

The E-Caravan-Phœnix hires an IT training institution, Formatech Integrated Learning Centers, which is a Certified Technical Educational Center for Microsoft, Oracle, CIW and CompTIA as well as the largest Prometric Authorized Certification Testing Center in Lebanon. Formatech utilizes its experience gained from Fondation Saradar’s ‘Saradar IT Programme’ (SITP) and the former E-Caravan in delivering a customized training package suitable for rural areas and targeting subjects such as rural tourism, women, disabled persons, Training of Trainers, supporting small and medium enterprises and others.