Source: MICIT

The National Center of Food Distribution (CENADA) in Barreal de Heredia may seem like an unlikely location for a computer classroom.

The CENADA is essentially a farmers market on steroids: a place where farmers, brokers, dealers, grocers, wholesalers, and the public converge to negotiate, bargain and otherwise haggle on the prices of produce. Information technology has crept into the vast CENADA market over the last few years, which is why the Ministry of Science and Technology (Spanish acronym: MICIT) thought it would be an ideal location for a Smart Community Center (CECI).

The CECI at CENADA opened its doors over three years ago. Like other CECIs across Costa Rica, it operates as a partnership between the government and the community. A recent focus of the CECI program has been on recognizing those who take advantage of the program, like Rolando Murillo -one of the first visitors to this CECI. Mr. Murillo is now a teacher of basic computer skills, and he is pleased about the turn his life has taken:

“I enjoy teaching. Coming to the CECI has improved my life. Just seeing people learning things that improve their quality of life is satisfying enough.”

Mr. Murillo and more than 30 others were recognized for their learning accomplishments by Minister Alejandro Cruz earlier this week at a relaunching ceremony at the CENADA CECI. Similar ceremonies have been held at other CECIs in Costa Rica in the past, and are expected to continue. Along with Vice Minister Keilor Rojas, Minister Cruz personally handed certificates and presented the center with eight new workstations.

The CECI program in Costa Rica is not limited to teaching and bridging the gap created by the digital divide; each CECI can be used for research and investigation. The CECI at CENADA, for example, has been used for projects related to storage and distribution of produce. The MICIT will continue the CECI initiative to stimulate interest among Ticos on Internet technology and at the same time provide them with free access.