The aim of our Computer Training Seminar in La Esperanza, which began in January of this year, is to provide technical support and training to a very impressive indigenous alliance. The Civil Council of Popular and indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) plays a key role in the Central American indigenous rights movement.
Because their work involves organizing over three hundred communities and maintaining constant contact with organizations around the world, technology is essential to their movement. Unfortunately, COPINH is a resource- poor organization made up entirely of representatives from some of Honduras's most impoverished communities. Until we arrived there were only two computers in their office, neither of which functioned properly, even as word processing tools.
Since then, we have created a highly functional computer lab. There are six networked computers, one printer, one scanner, and seven dedicated facilitators. Presently, there are fifteen participating members of COPINH who come in groups of four or fewer to two three-hour computer literacy workshops each week. We have made personal profiles in Microsoft Word, complete with digital pictures, made PowerPoint presentations on subjects such as dams and poverty, and have opened email accounts. We've learned about Excel and its uses for keeping track of finances, and learned how to integrate the functions of these programs. All members now have email accounts, from which they retrieve homework assignments and complete in-class work to become familiar with the Internet. Excitement and curiosity grow as participants realize the infinite possibilities of the web, as an educational resource, as an international news source and especially as a link to other grassroots movements.

In addition, we used our computer-training seminar as a means to integrate the participants directly in the organization of the Jornada de Resistencia, a series of three international forums in opposition to a myriad of socio-economic injustices currently facing Mesoamerican peoples. All participants in the Computer Training Seminar formed part of the Communications Committee for the forums. They used their newfound knowledge to execute various projects detrimental for the successful implementation of the forums. Excel tables were used for budget proposals and participant enlistment. Pamphlets, posters and convocation announcements were designed using advanced computer programs (i.e. Microsoft Publisher and Photoshop). The Communications Committee was also responsible for all email correspondence associated with the Forums. This gave program participants and opportunity to see the direct usefulness of computer technology as a resource for advancing the struggles of COPINH.
Our first project has had a very successful launch and we continue to move forward. Project coordinators have extended the seminar until August 2003. We are continuing workshops to ensure that COPINH members will be able to create, update and maintain the organization’s website independently using the skills they have acquired during this project. In addition to the web design focus, the second phase includes the creation of a sustainability group. Several advanced participants will train to offer future workshops and manage the computer lab once the Rising Roots Project Committee has moved on. The seeds are sown, and the roots are rising. We are confident this project will flourish.