Project FOCUS is a grass-roots initiative of artists, writers, activists, young professionals and students bound by a common purpose: to educate, inspire, and empower local communities in Southwestern Uganda and the United States.

Recently, Project FOCUS came to Cultivate employees’ Chris Pierik and myself with a request for assistance in launching their latest fundraising campaign. The task before them was and is not small – bring the Internet to the small community of Lyantonde, Uganda. First of all, remember life without the Internet? The Internet long ago moved from luxury to necessity, and this project is a sobering reminder of the importance of combating the increasing digital divide. Second of all, Project FOCUS is an entirely volunteer-based organization that relies on its growing base of supporters to aid their efforts. Their core group of volunteers dreams big, then works hard and forms strategic partnerships to ensure the success of their initiatives. Chris and I jumped at the chance to help out.

Their short-term goal is eight solar-powered computers, a satellite-internet connection and operating expenses for one year. Their long-term goals are an Internet café that eventually generates much needed income for Lyantonde’s Prince Primary School and the provision of a necessary tool with the potential to transform practices in education, health and hygiene, and income generation.

Check out campaign headquarters! www.projectfocus.org/current

Project FOCUS organized the content and programming, but came to Chris to give the microsite a face. Chris whipped up an eye-catching color scheme and some stylish icons faster than the Duke boys can jump in the General Lee.

Meanwhile, I worked with a surprisingly lighthearted, yet hard-hitting concept developed by Project FOCUS’s Grant Buhr for the audio documentary Lyantonde Connected to create a video to launch the campaign. Cleverly, we call it Lyantonde Connected. You can help make it viral. Maybe it will spread to Lyantonde!

Enjoy the video and microsite. FOCUS. Spread the internet love. Repeat.