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From: jbray@bbncca.ARPA (James Bray)
Newsgroups: net.jobs,net.politics
Subject: Technical Aid to Nicaragua
Message-ID: <766@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 6-Jun-84 20:47:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: bbncca.766
Posted: Wed Jun  6 20:47:21 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Jun-84 00:57:56 EDT
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 77


  Here is some information about a group called tecNICA, which provides
a way for `computer people' to help out in Nicaragua. Don't agree with
Reagan and the CIA and their fascist Contra friends? Here's a great way
to show it.

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				tecNICA

			Technical Aid to Nicaragua

  While the  Reagan  administration  tries  to  destabilize  the  Sandinista
Government  of  Nicaragua,  other  people  are  finding  ways  to  aid  this
struggling Third World nation. The Nicaraguan revolution is  unique  in  the
world  with  its  mixture  of  idealism and pragmatism. It has attracted the
support of people and governments of many different  political  persuasions.
One of the most important forms this support takes is technical assistance.

  Many of us have been trained in various fields of the computer industry or
in  areas  depending  heavily  on  their  use  --   economics,   statistics,
administration,  etc. In the past year, a number of these professionals have
traveled to Nicaragua in groups or  individually.  While  there,  they  have
initiated  and  worked  on  projects in banking operations, agriculture, and
other fields. Additional support projects have been requested in the central
bank  (international,  public  investment),  the  ministries  of  Education,
planning, health, and the University of Central America. All  of  these  are
ongoing  projects  that  require technical support both in the United States
and Nicaragua to succeed.

  Nicaragua has a fair quantity of relatively sophisticated hardware  but  a
serious  shortage  of trained personnel and usable software to fully utilize
this equipment. This is a serious deficiency for any country, but especially
one  trying  to  develop  its fragile economy against the odds faced by the
Nicaraguans. However, it is a deficiency which can be helped in a very  real
and  immediate  way. By volunteering our time to conduct a workshop, provide
consulting or by living and working in Nicaragua our knowledge and expertise
can make enormous contribution to the struggle of the Nicaraguan people.

  Providing the means to make this exchange happen is the object of tecNICA.
In conjunction with  various  agencies  and  ministries  of  the  Nicaraguan
Government we are conducting a series of workshops that will provide many of
their people with much needed skills. They provide lodging and meals  during
our stay but because of the scarcity of foreign currency they ask each of us
to provide our own air fare (about $700).

  Workshops are one week long with several different ones being conducted
each week over a two week period. This allows individuals to teach for
either one or two weeks depending on their own work schedules and time
commitments at home. Consulting with agencies on problems relating to their
own particular application is also provided when possible. During our stay
we set aside as much time as possible for travel to see Nicaragua and its
people. In addition, one can stay longer for more extensive travel.

  Workshop Participants

  We need people who can either travel to Nicaragua to conduct these
workshops or consult, as well as people who can provide much needed project
research and development here.

  Long Term Residents

  The greatest contribution to these and other projects would of course come
from  a  consultant  working  full-time on a job, for an extended period. A
great deal more training and support could be provided. To accomplish  this,
we  are  helping  the  Nicaraguans  find  professionals  who can make longer
commitments (month or more) and work as a full-time employee of  a  ministry
or agency.

  We are currently organizing our summer trips.

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  For more information, drop me a line:

decvax!bbncca!jbray
jbray@bbncca.arpa