Access to Technology and Education in Mexico

Hello world!

It's been 7 years since Fundación Proacceso opened the first RIA center. In municipalities with the highest percentages of crime and violence in Mexico, a RIA center stands out as a confortable, beautiful place in which the whole community can access technology, internet, courses and cultural activities. Is a place to meet up with peers, to learn and overcome your own fears. Through computers connected to the Internet, housewives, construction workers, mechanics, students and street vendors can access videos, images and words from all over the world. This information can help us grow as professionals, but also can open our minds to so many different realities and possibilities. That's when the magic happens.

We were a young team then, we are still a young team today... but we have learned so much. Even if most of the teachers and staff are youth, the centers naturally attracted children, adults and even older adults. We thought, maybe it was because the feel and look of the place, the content of the courses… maybe youth are already digital citizens, and already know (or think they know) how to make the best use of the internet.

That’s why, around 3 years ago –when I first arrived to the organization, with the crime and violence in Mexico rising very obviously in both the streets and the statistics… we started to think very seriously about youth. Some serious work had to be done: from creating new content and visual design, to changing the way we approached communities. Hopefully the Trust for the Americas, Microsoft, GlobalGiving, Nokia, Adobe and other organizations were there to help us. We started offering courses to attract youth by learning how to design and edit videos, to code and create webpages.

We launched special projects and centers like POETA to offer opportunities to youth to be entrepreneurs, get employment or study. We created the MakersLab so youth can not only use technology but create technology with the tools like 3D printers and laser cutter. Also, we are now working on a digital community where youth can contact mentors in their area of interest; also on a follow up model so we know if we are actually helping youth to accomplish their dreams. And guess what? We are!!! Thanks to YOU we’re inspiring young people not only to analyze their context and their own life situation, but to know what they want, to work for it and to give something back to others.

We know it’s in Spanish, but we want to share with you the video of the testimony of Dulce: https://vimeo.com/168968597 She’s the daughter of the lady who cleans the Digital Library of Alcoman. She has learned English and computing in the Library and now is studying to be a programmer.  Dulce explains how she has seen her friends get lost in gangs, drugs, or thinking they have no option but moving to the city as construction workers… She even helped one of them to get over a drug addiction by inviting him to the Digital Library. She loves being there so much, she became and volunteer and now inspires and helps others to use the computer…  We are so proud and thankful to have her as part of the Proacceso’s family.

Links:

• https://vimeo.com/168968597

Thanks to Nokia and GlobalGiving, the Red de Innovación y Aprendizaje (RIA) opened it first center using technologies that build up creativity as well as training in the design of prototypes for new gadgets. Hand tools, power tools, and digital manufacturing devices are available for people from 13+ to create and develop their own widget.

The space called RIA MakersLab was opened at RIA’s branch Neza 9. During its first semester, it has been achieved a 115% of graduated users resulting from the Empower Through Training.  It has been a great season: we had our 1st generation graduation and project’s fair event! Santiago, Customer Marketing Manager LAT from Nokia Mexico kindly attended to this occurrence.

Juan is an outstanding member of our project. He is a GlobalGiving’s scholarship 2012’s grantee. He is 18 years old and experienced in the use of design and programming software. He learnt to work collaboratively, helping his other peers using the differents tools.

As a founder member, he learnt to use the laser cutter to make souvenirs and projects for the opening of the RIA MakersLab. Helped by a laser cutter and a 3D printer machine, he has created a USB controller to be used in electronic music performances. Now he wants to study Visual Arts and Music Production; also he wants to start his own shop of design products such as shirts and gifts with his own designs.

Please watch the Juan’s success story video here.

What do you think about youngsters as Juan that receive such opportunities like RIA MakersLab offers? What can they will be able to reach?

Links:

• Please watch the Juan's success story video here