By Ginna Brelsford | Executive Director
Our Computer Centers
We’ve had a total of 2,651 students graduate from our computer centers as of the end of 2016. Because the computers centers are inside schools, they provide a great avenue for female students to gain valuable training.
Why Literacy Includes Computers
If a girl is proficient in applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and if she is able to navigate the Internet, she will be better prepared to enter the workforce or continue on to some form of higher education. This is the power of a single computer for girls in Afghanistan. They are joining a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected and where information is easily accessible. A computer has allowed these girls to learn about international events and has promoted cross-cultural understanding and respect. To learn more about the importance of digital litercy for women, check out the article "Focus on Female Digital Literacy": http://oneworld.org/2016/09/06/focus-on-female-digital-literacy/
A Long-Lasting Impact
Your impact on these girls’ technical education will endure, as one computer will impact approximately 100 girls enrolled in the course every year at the center. The computer will be available for girls and teachers to operate for years to come.
The program’s model transitions oversight and implementation to the school and the Ministry of Education after a period of time. The program can be expanded within a school and used as a model in all provincial schools, ensuring long-term stability. Training Afghan students in this modern technology not only offers them much-needed jobs skills, but enhances their education by encouraging creative thinking and broadening students’ perspectives and worldviews.
Sahar is currently expanding our computer programs to include a pilot coding project for outstanding graduates of our computer centers. The girls will learn basic computer coding concepts, design a project and learn about employment opportunities for girls in technology.
Tania is in grade 11 and studying at one of our computer centers. She shares her story: “I remember when my teacher told me to do my homework by computer some time ago, but I was not able to because I did not know how to use a computer. I asked my brother to help me and he tried to help me. When this happened, I was very sorry for not knowing how to use a computer to do my homework by myself and wished to learn it someday. When I was informed about a free computer class in our school, I became very happy and joined this class. Now, I am very happy for coming to this course and learning computer programs. Now, I can use computer and solve many of my problems. I like how I feel about myself. I think learning the computer is a must, because we live in the age of technology. We need computer skills to live. When we have access to the internet, we can solve our problems without asking others to help us, and find a lot of information. When we graduate, we can get good jobs because of our computer knowledge. I want every other girl to attend to this class because it is so important."
Thank you again for supporting our innovative strategy of providing girls in northern Afghanistan with vocational skills while broadening their worldviews with computers. Your dollars will shape the lives of hundreds of Afghan girls who dream of advancing their skills to become more productive and involved in the political, economic, and social life of their country.
Hear from one of the students!
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