Village Information Centre - widely known as VIC - is a simple community based library. Yet, they are not conventional libraries as some of them are already graduated to become village telecentres.

Unique features of VIC includes;

• Simple, locally appropriate model
• Ability to adapt with diverse rural demands
• Community participation and ownership
• Ability to build community aspirations towards Digital age

VICs are initiated by the youth leaders (volunteers) of rural villages, after undergoing an initial training by Fusion. They are housed within low cost rural locations, donated by community themselves. Some are maintained adjoining Sarvodaya Village Banks (facilitated by Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services - SEEDS program).

VICs accumulate and manage basic information related to health, transport, agriculture, education and governance. Composition will be varied based on the village needs. One VIC maintains about 18 - 20 types of information categories.

There are VICs having enormous indigenous resources such as Traditional Medical Recipes (on Ola leaves), Indigenous crop harvest equipment, Storage systems, Traditional songs and books. Some VICs gather information related to local bio-diversity (birds, plant species etc).

In some places, VIC has become a practical laboratory to School children who carry out small  projects (to fulfil school curriculum). School teachers direct the children to VICs, at specified periods. At some places, VIC leaders had managed to convince local government authorities to grant subsidized electricity. (Read the story of Maharathenna Village)

There were over 172 VICs initially established by Sarvodaya, as a result of the first phase of investments. Recent assessments (in early 2008) revealed changing dynamics in overall network (see below, VIC update). A new overall strategy has been planned by Fusion to expand the VIC network into the next level (VIC - Stage II) and Fusion seek donor support to implement the strategy.

Point of inspiration>

As of Sept 2008, there are 21 VICs  graduated to form ’simple village telecentres’ by incorporating minimum of one computer into their facilities. Such computers are received from various donations. The services are offered free of charge to the local communities.

VIC Update> (Sept. 2008)

Number of Active VICs - 121

Number of VICs reactivated - 33

Number of VICs newly opened - 16

Number of VICs closed down - 22

Research findings on VICs >> A Study of ICT & Rural Development of Sri Lanka - Kamal Kapadia, PhD Candidate, University of California, Berkley.

Observe the VIC locations in the >> Google map