COMPUTER LITERACY CLASS FOR 30 INDIAN GIRLS

Dear donors and well wishers,

Season’s greetings from IDEA!

9 children from our rural project recently completed 3 months MSCIT course which was sponsored by IDEA Foundation. MSCIT stands for Maharashtra State-Certificate in Information Technology. It is the most popular IT Literacy course in Maharashtra state. This Course Comprises Of:

1. Reading and understanding a highly illustrated book
2. eLearning based self-learning sessions
3. Through MKCL's eLearning Revolution for All (ERA)
4. Providing hands-on practice sessions
5. Learning facilitation by certified professionals
6. With academic interactions, assessments, and collaboration

After completing this course, students become confident and versatile users of Information Technology. This certificate gives weightage to candidate’s resume. 5 more girls are pursuing the same course and also learning English and Marathi typing which will be beneficial for them from job perspective. These girls travel quite far to learn new skills and upgrade their knowledge. There are very few institutes in that region. Rajesh is one of those 9 children who benefitted from this initiative.

Rajesh lives in Indiranagar slum in Bhor. He is eighteen years old and studying first year B.A. in A.T. College, Bhor. Rajesh lives with his parents and elder brother and a sister in a small hut. He is sincere and hard working. He is of helping nature. Rajesh’s father works as a mason on construction sites and his mother and elder brother also help him in that. Sometimes Rajesh also works part time on construction site to cover his educational expenses.

We noticed him during our student mobilization session in his community. He was briefed on IDEA’s vocational training program. Very soon he joined MSCIT course and completed it sincerely. He secured A+ grade. Rajesh is in regular touch with foundation for getting further guidance. He also helps study centre teacher in outdoor activities and participates in various programs organised by IDEA foundation in Indiranagar community.

Rajesh is aware of importance of education. His aim is to complete graduation in arts and then search for a job. Now is also pursuing typing course under IDEA’s support. It will help him to apply for clerical jobs. He is looking forward to participate in many more initiatives undertaken by IDEA.

Kamal’s story:

Kamal (name changed) is presently undergoing Bedside Assistant course through IDEA Foundation and also learning to operate computer for the first time. She comes to IDEA’s office every afternoon along with her classmates.

Kamal left college after 11^th and started working as a receptionist in dental hospital. Her elder sister is married and brother is pursuing first year of B.Com. Her mother is a housewife. Her father works as a watchman in housing society and earns around Rs. 6000 per month. He took loan of Rs. 3 lacs for the wedding of his elder daughter and the family is paying through the nose to repay the amount. Kamal too is contributing towards family income by earning Rs. 2000 per month in a nursing home. She heard about IDEA’s vocational training program and joined nursing course soon. As part of her training, she is now learning basics of computer which is going to be a great support for her professional life. Her friend had taught her to open PC in a cyber café. Today she is able to use various tools and type in English and Marathi. She will be well trained in a few days.

She was once rejected in an interview due to lack of knowledge in computer operation. She was highly disappointed by that and made up her mind to become computer literate. She is also motivated to continue her college. She is appearing for her 12^th standard exam externally in another two months.

Thank you dear donors and well wishers for sponsoring and supporting such courses. You are opening doors for less privileged and building a cornerstone for increasing cyber citizenship. Wish you a very happy and healthy new year 2015.