For nearly a decade now, a small agency in Ottawa has been reaching out in a big way to many nations. They are working to get their young people using technology and making a difference where they live.

The founder of Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) thinks the concept is ready for a big expansion.

Technology 101 exists in many nations courtesy of DOT. The teachers are young interns working with DOT, teaching others in their community the basics of technology and how it can be used to create economic development.

"I see the change that is happening in people's lives," said Nadine Umuhire, one of those interns based in Kigali, Rwanda. "I am excited about this program, I have people coming to me to ask for advice."

Umuhire is a graduate of a technology course which she uses everyday. She was joined by Violette Uwamutara, the country supervisor.

Uwamutara attended Carleton University in Ottawa before returning to her homeland and getting involved with DOT. She said in a year they have trained 1,600 people.

"Most of the other aid programs in Africa take too long to show results, but not with DOT," she said. "In a month you begin to see results and that is very welcome."

The founder of DOT is Janet Longmore. After nearly 10 years she said DOT has had over 2,500 people working for them in 11 nations, training tens of thousands of people.

Now operating on a budget of $10 million and growing sponsorship support, they are seeing demand grow.

"Now we want to take this model that has worked and do more," Longmore said. "We have great support from new partners who are helping with money and with innovation."

Last month, Longmore was named Canada's top female entrepreneur in high tech.

She is working with the United Nations committee that links technology and development and notes the UN recently said access to the internet should now be considered a basic human right.

In much of the developing world, technology is being used in ways we cannot imagine in order to jumpstart their economies.

"DOT is making a difference in my community," said Ayshah Maenda, an intern in Kenya. "I see it and more than that it is making a difference in my life."

"People in the developing world want to jump on board the latest in 21st century technology," said Longmore. "What we do at DOT is take this underused resource of young people and their talent and skills and combine it with this desire to use technology at the community level."