click to enlarge view (~22)

Preparing for the inauguration of the amic@ in the Santisima Trinidad neighborhood

Maestros
Civil society abounds with exciting partnership possibilities, from formal NGOs with established mandates to informal groups of neighbors who just care about their community. Santisima Trinidad is one of the latter, where residents have a history of banding together to meet local needs. When presented with the prospect of an amic@ in the nearby community center, residents recognized the potential benefit to their neighborhood and offered their energy and expertise to help make it happen. There is a range of skills to draw on, from residents with internet experience to knowledge of local history and needs to the maestros — the bricklayers, carpenters, masons and other workers from the construction industry who volunteered, literally, to build their amic@. No problem ensuring a sense of community ownership is expected here.

Peace Corps
The Peace Corps has been active in Paraguay for 31 years, with more volunteers per capita than most other countries. An exchange may be in the works that would enable volunteers to check their email from time to time in return for lending a hand in the amic@s as guides, trainers and office assistants. This is the kind of trade that meets the immediate needs of both parties and could lead to other exchanges down the road. It also could lead to widespread word-of-mouth publicity for the centers.

Catholic University
A briefing about amic@s to professors and students in the informatics program at Catholic University inspired youthful enthusiasm as well as creative ideas for collaboration. The head of the department, who is interested in the social benefit aspects of the projects his students undertake and not just the technology, was moved by the community networking movement and the need to demystify information and communications technology for people. He and his students are considering ways in which they can help electronic networking efforts, including web site development, Y2K concerns, and of course the amic@s. An infusion of this kind of enthusiasm, coupled with interest from the private and voluntary sectors, is a show of support for the municipality that started the amic@ effort in the first place.