Understanding demand : a proposal for the development of ICTs in Jamaica

This discussion document is primarily concerned with ICT policy as it might effect and potentially transform the welfare of low-income communities in Jamaica.1 It is based on anthropological fieldwork with low income Jamaicans conducted during 2004, which comprised six months residence in rural Clarendon and six months in a low-income settlement within Portmore.2 Dr Heather Horst was resident throughout while Prof. Daniel Miller resided in Jamaica for less than four months. Although part of the project involved an extensive survey of one hundred households and an intensive budget analysis of twenty households, most of our work was based upon developing trust and rapport with families over several months while carrying out formal and informal interviews. It also involved living within such households in order to develop our understanding of daily life. In addition we have interviewed a range of personnel working for the IT industry, government and particular services such as teachers and medics.