Online charity initiative Websites for NGOs (non-governmental organisations) is inviting African NGOs to apply for free website hosting in an attempt to collect tuition funds for a Ghanaian information technology (IT) manager.
Websites for NGOs rests on the principle of raising money with website development offered in return for African NGOs.
The initiative was co-founded by Scottish volunteer Rachel Anderson and Ghanaian co-founder Desmond Hanson, IT manager at a local radio station.
Speaking to HumanIPO, Anderson said: “Through our experiences and research we have learned that many NGOs either do not have organisational websites or their websites are of poor quality due to the inability to pay for professional development.
“In this day and age, an organisational website is a must, particularly for advocacy organisations and those in need of financial support.”
Hansen offers his skills as an accomplished web developer to create a NGO website for every £1,000 (US$1,532) raised through donations.
Created websites will be hosted for two years by Hansen while the NGOs will be assisted with a training manual to equip them in running the website themselves thereafter.
Websites for NGOs is a sustainable project with the goal of developing 30 websites for listed NGOs in Africa.
With regards to the funds, £32,000 (US$49,000) is needed of which £2,000 (US$3,060) is necessary for website maintenance.
Through the organisation’s Facebook page, NGOs are encouraged to participate in the initiative.
With 12 African NGOs already enrolled, there is space for 18 more to be empowered with a website.
“I fully expect this number to keep growing,” Anderson said.
According to Anderson, currently benefitting NGOs include IT training, youth and orphan supporting establishments.
Donations via the web portal is possible until May 8.
Funds gathered will enable Hansen to study in Scotland by September 2013, whose family is unable to afford the high fees required from international students.
Anderson is currently working as a volunteer at the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled as from 2012.
