EMPOWER & IGNITE THE YOUTH FOR A BETTER NATION

 Technology used wisely steers dreams, aspirations & opportunities

Our dreams are plenty our aspirations are specific. While we combine dreams with aspirations it becomes - Holistic, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic & Time bound), Eclectic & Enthusiastic. We are really grateful to Literacy India, as it has enabled us to learn techniques such as career graph preparation and document competencies through skill mapping, according to our own choices which will ultimately yield results in a specific time-period.

About Project Karigari- EMPOWER & IGNITE THE YOUTH FOR A BETTER NATION

 The vocational training program in Computer education, devised at Literacy India provides a step to integrate youth and young adolescent groups towards livelihood opportunities for achieving the Three E’s goals (Education, Employment and Empowerment). As the youth is in the intermediary stage of psychological development between puberty and legal adulthood, they face struggles with the issues of independence and self- identity. Consequently, these groups face numerous challenges in family, schools and other institutions quite frequently. However, it has been observed that the nature of complains varies in respect to specific gender traits. Males are noticeably more vulnerable, it is found to the habits of smoking, alcohol, eve teasing, other illegal activities, peer pressure, involvement with local goons, addiction towards substance abuse of drugs, love affairs and so on. Girls on the other hand get involved in love affairs at a very tender age and are subsequently unable to concentrate on studies, score properly or attend school etc. In both the cases complications related to fluctuating mood swings, unhealthy sexual behaviour and practices, arise. Feedback and counselling sessions to attain insight on their personal perspective, has revealed that these young adults feel pressurized due to vague role models as well as their family’s expectations from them to engage in part-time work, contribute to the income, while also compelling girls to marry when they are not ready.

 With this psychological background and troubled social milieu of the youth, the vocational training for Computers at Literacy India is developed in an effective and student friendly manner while keeping in mind how technology also absorbs a lot of negative energy. LI’s aim is to help the young, learn and gain knowledge about ICT and create opportunities for future job prospects.

  Current situation in Belgachia, Howrah West Bengal

 Belgachia is a neighbourhood in Howrah city, West Bengal. It is a township linked to the capital of Kolkata at a distance of a few kilometres. The transport infrastructure is well organized with a railway station at Liluah and bus & roadways communication at Howrah station. A developing area with the biggest slums and migrant communities, Literacy India started its work in the area during April 2013.  The social circumstances surveyed in the down trodden parts of Belgachia are appalling- with scantily clad children scavenging through heaps of garbage for rags, youth & men addicted to alcohol and a large number of women allowed to take part in only domestic work. This situation has led to lack of education opportunities for children and many of them drop out or can’t attend school as their families face major financial problems. Furthermore, there are numerous cases of domestic violence with women being tormented with verbal and physical abuse. The youth are found gambling, playing cards and indulging in drug abuse. Vegetable vendors, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers and KMC’s Safai Karmachari workers earn minimal wages of around Rs 100 to Rs 150.           

 Activities undertaken during last six months:

1. Survey and Identification of groups had been undertaken  for preparing two batches
2. A room had been identified for rent to run the operation of computer lab
3. Computer labs had been set up at Shankar Apartment building
4. Total 40 students were enrolled and 15 had completed the course
5. Pre- entrance discussion, orientation and assessment with students were undertaken.
6. All students were provided the course book and plan.
7. Computer Lesson plan & routine had been prepared and implemented
8. Internal grooming and mock interview had been taken place.
9. The centre is provided with chair tables and stool and books and copies.
10. Volunteering on grooming had taken place at Belgachia

Achievements of the program:

1. FGD and Survey analysis had been conducted; the areas have been explored and implementation program had been addressed accordingly.
2. Total 40 students were enrolled and continuing.
3. 20 had appeared final exam and 15 had successfully completed the course. Out of 6 drop outs, there are 2 who were afraid of giving exam; another 3 became sick who will be enrolling again in the present batch.
4. Monthly assessments with children have shown their progress in the computer operation.
5. One beneficiaries completed Digital Literacy and operation of online program conducted by Cognizant.
6. Total 5 beneficiaries have been selected for job and placed.

 Overall impact on Community

40 students were enrolled and were directly served by the grant. The limit is not restricted to that domain only. A large number of girl children of schools and colleges are benefitted with that impact. An overall impact can be assessed through community. Community has various doubt and misconception about private sector and corporate sector. The vision has been changed while community saw and talked with corporate women who had been visited in LI centre frequently. They have convinced themselves and other people too. Best support came from women folk of the community. According to them these girls will be acting as change makers. 

Impact on Trainees:

Both boys & girls trainees took training on computer courses. They had learnt in the classroom behaviour and class room discipline. The program not only helped them to acquire the skill for job but also upgrade the knowledge on financial empowerment. The students are now capable of presentation through Power Point, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. 

.Enhanced IT Skills:

The IT skills of the students have improved and developed a lot. They can now operate computer individually without the guidance of the teachers. The students are well acquainted with daily used software. Even some of the school students are using computers for preparing their school notes. Girls have become more technology-friendly.  At least 85% girls and boys are using Facebook and skype.

 Potentiality Assessment:

 Among those 15 who had completed the course there were four girl’s candidate and three boy are found to be potential candidates who can be placed as class instructor for conducting classes in future. These 3 can be placed in the advanced training course or tally.

 Challenges faced:

• There are dropout rate; reasons were various. Few of them were facing challenges as family did not allow them for attending the classes; few of them are facing problem as they could not cope up with syllabus; few became slow learner, few are willing to attend classes but afraid of giving exam.
• After completion of course, job placement was provided for at least 10 students. Only 2 had accepted it seriously.
• Still there is a tendency of lethargy among youth for not taking the job or career seriously. Most of them are looking for school para teacher job, English medium pvt.   Tuitions job; apart from that, the youth are calculating the money to start with for job but they do not have the knowledge to review how the salary is to be fixed with what calculation.

Stories of change:

Name:  Sachitra  (Name Changed) Location: Belgachia West Bengal  

Sachitra, (name changed)  25, is a teacher at a private kinder garden school in Howrah. A sincere young woman, she wanted to improve her technical skills so that she could use the digital medium to conduct classes with toddlers. When she learnt about Literacy India’s Course in Computer Applications, she enrolled enthusiastically and attended the classes regularly. During the vocational training, she learnt how to use Microsoft Office efficiently as well as other programs. Thereafter, Suchitra passed the evaluation exams with flying colours and secured the first rank. Today, she has new job offers now and her current employer plans on giving her a raise. . 

Name: Deepak (Name Changed) Location: Belgachia West Bengal  

23 year old Deepak (name changed) completed his graduation with accountancy hons. His entire family is engaged in pottery work and he is the first member in his family to have completed his graduation. When he joined Literacy India, he did not know how to use computers properly. With a keen persuasion, he attended the vocational training and passed the Course in Computer Applications with remarkable grades. He feels grateful to Literacy India, to have taught him how to prepare the aspiration map and career graph. Today, he works at ‘Khadim’s footware’ in Howrah and is a Cashier & sales man, both. 

Links:

• Literacy india- Empowering minds