An international charity in the U.K. that sends volunteers to developing countries to share their expertise is calling for computer-literate help.
Usually those who can teach skills such as reading and writing are in demand by the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO).It has also traditionally provided skills such as water and sanitation engineers and geologists.
But in a reflection of changing times, it is now actively searching out people with vital technology training skills.
"We are actually looking for teachers who have some experience of ICT (information communication technologies)," said VSO's Abigail Fulbrook.
The call for tech-savvy teachers is very much a reflection of shifting priorities in countries which want to push their development.
The government of tanzania has been working with the Swedish development agency to kit out all the teacher training colleges with new computer technology and fast broadband connections.
Now the priority is to get people in who are able to help the college tutors understand how to use the equipment and software.Most people access the web via net cafes, where access is cheaper than in many other African countries.
Ms Burnham-Slipper,a highly-skilled trainer who decided to volunteer says that, once in place, it was the communication aspect of technology that she saw as having the biggest impact."It has massive potential, predominantly over communication more than anything else. Most developing countries do have problems with this.
"Telephone lines, both internal and international lines, are quite expensive so the advent of e-mail and the internet has really helped Eritrea as well.
"A lot of internet cafes are sprouting up everywhere and people are wanting to branch out into the world really."Offices are updating the ways they work too with technology, switching from paper-based to database driven electronic systems.
Although traditional skills such as reading and writing are essential, where there is a reliable electricity supply there is no reason not to have a computer there, said Ms Fulbrook.
"We all have the right to communicate with each other, and that is what information and communications skills can do," she said.
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