I\\\'m interested in participatory approaches for community inquiry and developing communityware, and have worked with Prairienet and Community iLab systems. In the past few years, i\\\'ve taught community informatics, social justice in the information professions, and pragmatic technology. The community groups I work most closely with are SIsterNet in Champaign-Urbana, and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago.

Paul Adams, director of Prairienet is participating on a project in east Africa.  The project installs shallow wells in partnership with local villagers in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania.  The project seeks to reduce deaths and illnesses related to water borne diseases.  Over 3,500 wells have been installed during the last twenty years.  Paul will also bring technology to the project.  The documentation to date has been pen and paper.  Due to the large number of wells and the increasing amount of data, maintaining a comprehensive database has been difficult.  Prairienet will be contributing 8 laptops (that have been donated by Carle Foundation Hospital) for the regional coordinators who are responsible for data collection.  The laptops are loaded with open source software.  Paul will also provide basic computer training for the coordinators.  The computers will enable the coordinators to share information and better implement the project.  This is another example of Prairienet with the assistance of local partners, expanding community technology.     

Go Sunny!

I have an interest in sustainable community development by ensuring empowerment of local people in the process of sharing and distributing new information and tacit knowledge.  I have involved in participatory action research by organizing community events. I am currently working on Korean cultural center which has a open library and serve as local knowlege depository.