Projects in Technology and Communications

The Centro de Computación Rodrigo Asturias

Checking your email from Santa Anita used to be an adventure. The only internet to be found existed in the nearby town of Colomba with its handful of cafes. The journey began by hitching a ride in the back of whatever pickup happened to pass by, and then snaking along muddy paths roughly etched out of the jagged highlands. After emerging from the maze of thick, tangled growth and drop-offs you could relax your grip for the paved road that would take you the rest of the way there. Scenic to be sure, but a bit exacting of both time and money – after all, your way back was equally opportunistic and not free.

Now, things are different. In the summer of 2009 BUILD collaborated with Santa Anita and a host of organizations to introduce the Centro de Computación Rodrigo Asturias. Located just within the community’s gates, the center is equipped with four computers, a printer and satellite internet. The center is an attraction for surrounding communities as well, offering a more practical opportunity to harness technology and benefit from the worldwide web.