J. Neela studies in the ninth class in Moonlite School in Hyderabad., Her ambition is to become a software engineer, but she has never had a chance to work on a computer- she does not have access to one, either at school or at home. Hailing from a humble background, her father is educated up to class three and works as an auto driver while her mother is illiterate and is a house wife.

Neela was most excited when she heard about the Digital Literacy campaign being conducted at MESCO Grades School near her house and was determined to join.

23^rd June 2009, was the day she joined and the fist time she touched a computer but also the day that changed her life. The happiness that she gained from working on computers has only grown in strength from then. An enthusiastic learner, Neela picked up all skills really fast and is today capable of doing a project on preventing Malaria and Dengue in the colony. Currently, she is preparing a plan of an ideal neighborhood by using the paint and drawing software, an issue she feels strongly about- a clean and healthy neighborhood.

As she says, the skills she has learnt is not just how to work on the computer but also how to solve a problem and find a solution. She says “learning on the computer is no fun if I do not have something to do. By trying to solve the problems of the neighboring community, I feel like I have actually achieved something and learnt something realistic”.

She now recognizes the importance of Digital Literacy and 21st century skills and is motivating her friends and peer group to also join and participate in the Dell Youth Connect Program. She is confident that one day she will become a software engineer.