Sushma is an 11 year old girl who lives in a rural part of Gurgaon in Delhi. Due
to family constraints she had to drop out of school in her formative years as a
result of which she did not even have the basic literacy skills. One day out of
sheer curiosity she followed her friends from the village to the Digital Literacy
Program being conducted at nearby school, It was the Dell YouthConnect Program,
being implemented by Learning Links Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged
children from the community gain Digital Literacy and 21st century skills.
When Sushma entered the Lab she looked completely lost, looking at rows of white
TV like boxes they a “Computer”. She kept looking…scared even to touch. Very patiently
the facilitator of the course guided her to sit in front of one. But once she did,
she was fascinated by what she could do on it.
All she needed was a little bit support and assurance which she received from the
facilitator and her friends.
Sushma was very punctual throughout the course. She worked diligently, absorbing
every detail as she started working on the various technology tools.
By the end of the training session, she had been transformed; her lack of confidence
replaced by a smiling child brimming with confidence and determined to continue
her studies. On the last day of the training, an Open House Session was conducted
for the parents of the participating children. They shared the work that they had
done during the training and also their experiences and aspirations.
There were tears in the eyes of her parents, as it was beyond their imagination
to see their little girl working on the computers and speaking so confidently.
‘We never had such opportunities in life and even now are computer illiterate. It
gives me great pleasure to watch my child handle computers with such ease and also
learn something useful in the process. I do not have any words to express my gratitude.’
Mr. Saxena (Sushma’s Father)
The father thanked the facilitator profusely and assured her that he would readmit
his daughter in school in the next academic session beginning in July this year.
‘Can you believe it? I can paint, create presentations and also find out something
happening outside my village. This is my first experience with computers. I really
find it more intelligent than me. It is magic. This training program gave me an
opportunity to actually work on it. It was very nice and I would definitely like
to go back to school’
Sushma (Participant)
Sushma’s story had a cascading effect. She is a transformed girl today.
Thanks to the Digital Literacy & 21st century skills that she learnt and the support
that she received at the Dell Youth Connect Program she was able to convince her
father to send her back to school.
The now ebullient Sushma, one day proudly led another friend of hers to the training.
Neha, 15 years of age, and in the fifth class, was quiet and meek and had no idea
what was required of her. Sushma proudly showed her around the training lab. Blessed
with a wonderful voice, Neha’s only dream is to become a singer and when she was
told that once she had learnt all the skills it would help her register in her favorite
TV music show, she couldn’t wait to get started.
From a humble background, Neha’s father Rakesh Yadav works as a driver in a house
while her mother Sunita Yadav, works as a domestic help. Even though she studies
in a school she has never had any practical exposure to computers.
It amazed her to know that here she could explore and find out about music shows
on the computer. Really excited Neha saw it as the way to pursuing her dreams.
Neha’s progress was phenomenal. Not only did she pick up skills on the computer
really fast but was ahead of everyone else in other 21st century skills like collaboration,
leadership and confidence.
She loved doing the research on the net and soon became so adept on browsing the
net that she could help the others in her batch. Her leadership qualities and confidence
enabled her to become the accepted person to turn to in need. Along with Sushma,
she began helping out the facilitators and now comes to the centre everyday to help
out her friends become familiar with the new technologies.
Neha and Sushma are proud girls today. Sushma wants to become a teacher while Neha
remains resolute in her desire to become a singing star one day. She keeps her dreams
alive by researching for musical programs on the net and keeping herself abreast
of all the knowledge she needs to enroll in the programs.
Both Neha and Sushma are winners in their own rights. They have learnt to be women
of the new emerging global India by learning 21st century skills which make them
employable and give them the potential to be leaders for the next generation.
This is a true story of two lives touched & transformed but this is just the beginning.
We are sure that the Dell Youth Connect Program will touch and transform lives of
many more children like Sushma & Neha.