– By Roshni Shikari – Community in Action intern
In April of 2006 Community in Action inaugurated its first computer lab, and in doing so, greatly expanded the wealth of opportunities afforded to the residents in the surrounding areas. Thanks to generous donations from supporters in the United States, the NGO now has eight fully equipped computers and is able to offer computer literacy classes. These IT classes have proven to be far and away the most popular feature of the organization and they have significantly increased the number of Community in Action participants, both as students and volunteers. At present, the classes are offered ten times a week, and all classes are currently filled to capacity.
The high enrollment and lengthy waiting list attest to the importance of Community in Action’s budding computer literacy program. Many adults in the area lack even the most fundamental understanding of computers; they have never touched a keyboard or a mouse. The resources for computer training in the favelas are scarce, and many citizens report that they were turned away from potential jobs due to their lack of computer skills. In keeping with the goal of curbing unemployment, the volunteers and administration at Community in Action hope that the computer literacy program will increase the desirability of locals as job candidates. Every student who completes a three-month rotation of computer classes will receive a certificate of completion, which will add credibility to their resume when seeking employment. As the program grows, Community in Action hopes to expand the project in order to accommodate intermediate and advanced computer students who have already completed the basic level course. Then, in harmony with our mission, our goal is to always have community residents teach others what they have learned.
In addition to the all-age-level computer classes taught by Community in Action volunteers, the NGO has created a special partnership with a local elementary school. We opened the computer lab to eight classes of 1st through 4th graders every week. Sixty-five students receive computer training classes Monday through Friday, which is now part of their elementary course curriculum. This long-term partnership is truly advantageous for everyone involved. Hundreds of elementary school children will be exposed to computers at a young age, more parents will participate in the other technical classes we offer and both the school as well as the NGO will be able expand marketing activities.
Becoming familiar with computers at a young age has become increasingly important and is often taken for granted in developed countries like the U.S. Community in Action is committed to doing its part to level the playing field between children in developed and developing countries with respect to technology access. We are also committed to giving adults the necessary tools to make personal and professional advancements…tools they may have had no access to in the past. Our vision remains clear and our mission produces a road-map to achieve long-term results.