Computer Skills for Youth in Rural, Slum Areas

Back Ground:

Uttarakannda district is home to many indigenous tribal communities among others, including the Sidhis, Goulis, Kunabis Gondas and Hallakki.
The Halakki people are scattered across several Taluks of Uttara Kannada district namely Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Gokarna and Honnavar. Their villages are mostly located on either side of the National Highway 17 that cuts through the aforementioned places and also on strips of land adjacent to the waters of the Arabian Sea. 

Earlier the Halakkis resided at the foothills of the Western Ghats and were known to practice a system of agriculture similar to that of the Thodas of the Nilgiris. They also depended on forest produce and were know to hunt.

More info: http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/halakki.htm

Map: http://goo.gl/BrWm0d

Kumta:

No of Computers: 5
No of Students:12
Location: Ratnakara Vanavasi Vidyarthi Nilaya, Kumta
Course Content: Basics of Computers(Windows, MS Office, Internet)
Further Requirements: Internet Connection and Printer and few more work stations

The computer lab in Kumta is set up in Ratnakara Vanavasi Vidyarthi Nilaya, Kumta  to provide basic knowledge of computers to the students staying in the hostel. The students are studying in 7^th, 8^th and 9^th standards. Total of 12 students are availing the computer lab facility.

The courses offered are Basics of Computers, introduction to using Windows operating system, introduction to MS Office tools and use of Internet. There are five computers available at the centre. This is first ever computer lab offering computer education students from tribes.

Dandeli:

No of Computer: 5
No of Students: 39
Location: Rukmani Balika Nilaya, Dandeli
Course Content: Basics of Computers(Windows, MS Office, Internet)

The computer lab in Dandeli serves nearly 40 students at Rukmani Balaka Nilaya. The students are studying in Higher primary and High schools. The courses offered are Introduction to Windows OS, introduction to MS Office, and use of internet. 

1. Tharuru computer Lab:

41 children are attending sessions at the computer lab regularly.  Every day 4 batches are held, first batch between 7.30 and 10 m, and second batch between 4.30 and 6.30 pm.

The batches include the children studying in 8^th, 9^th and 10^th grade.

8^th Grade : 13 9^th Grade :11 10^th Grade : 17

Topics Covered

1. Fundamentals of computers , Introduction to tools, MS word, MS Paint, Note pad,

Parts of computer & its uses, basics of Computer hardware and Baraha.

Courses to begin:

1. MS Excel, MS Power point, Nudi software, Email, Google apps, and Basics of internet.

 All these 4 batches will be completing their first course in Computer Fundamental by end of October and 22 children from 5^th grade to 7^th grade have already registered for next batches.

 Upcoming Courses:

Other course that will be offered include Tally 7.2 course by November 2^nd week.  Planning is in progress. 

Key Observations:

This computer lab is functioning regularly with good attendance with community involvement. Lot of youngsters & local villagers are gaining knowledge of computers by spending few hours daily. The attendees who are benefitted from this lab are spreading good message about computer lab across the village which has resulted in more and more children enrolling for new batches. Overall, lab seems to be getting popular across the community & training on new course for teacher is needed.

 Kallembella Computer Lab: 

44 Children are regular to this Computer lab. The children from 5^th grade to 3^rd B.com are regularly attending the sessions in 8 batches every day. Each batch contains 5 children as per the computer availability and the duration of each batch is 1 hour. The batches starts at 8.30 am and runs till 6.30 pm 

5^th Grade:4   6^th Grade :8    7^th Grade:2      8^th Grade:4     PUC:14   ITI :2  Bcom :5     OTHERS :3

Topics Covered

1. Fundamentals of computers , introduction to tools, MS word, MS Paint, Notepad,

parts of computer & its uses, Basics of computer hardware, and Baraha.

Courses to begin:

1. MS Excel, MS Power point, Nudi software , Email, Google apps, Basics of internet.

Out of 8 batches, students in 4 batches will complete the courses by October and remaining 4 will complete by November 1^st week.

Upcoming Courses:

Computer lab teacher are asking us to give training on DTP and Tally. We are planning to organie training to teachers.

Key Observations:

This Computer lab is functioning regularly, however there is an issue with regular power supply. Due to this reason, many times children come to lab and get disappointed. This centre is located very close to NH4 highway and has many Government Colleges and schools. More than 30 children and youths are enrolled into new batches. As our centre offers courses at free of cost, majority of the youngster on daily basis are coming to our centre and many are enrolling for new batches. People working at the Tahashildar’s office next to our computer lab are encouraging the local villagers to make use of the opportunity provided by us at the computer lab. By this word of mouth, Kallembella centre has received good publicity and has resulted in more enrolment for next batches. 

Key Challenges:

1. Power fluctuations
2. Internet facility
3. Reporting 

Testimonial:

Shivanna – Computer Lab teacher

Kallambella

Vidyachetana in collaboration with CISCO in Kallambella is like bringing light into darkness.  In the technological world, knowledge of computers is as important as food for people. Because of this lab, children in the rural area who from economically weaker section are benefitted with free computer education which otherwise would be impossible for people from these regions. Thanks to Vidyachetana and CISCO for setting up the lab here. We request for continued service from Vidyachetana and CISCO in brightening the life of these children.

Best regards,

Shivanna G

Priya P - Student

Bhoopasandra

I PUC

Sponsored by Vidyachetana, students in the rural area we are given an opportunity to learn computers. Students here like me are unable to take up computer courses paying hefty fee. I had no knowledge about computers before joining this course. With the course offered here, I learnt how to use computers. I hope in the future, with this knowledge of computers I will be able to study subjects related to computers better. The teacher, Mr. Shivanna teaches computers very interestingly and makes it easy to understand. 

 Purnima C - Student

II BCom

I stay in Kallambella. Before joining the computer course offered by CISCO through Vidyachetana, I had no knowledge of computers. I am grateful to the organization for setting up the computer lab here and now I am able to learn how to use computers. By offering free courses, the organization is not only providing education to people like us, it is in turn helping in the overall development of rural areas. We thank the organization for setting up computer lab for us.  I request you to continue providing such opportunities in rural areas.