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Toiling for Technology

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DQI Bureau
New Update

Narain, a 17-year-old school dropout, cleans cars for a living. He also

attends the NGO Katha-run school after work. He aspires to join the world of

advertising while his creativity is already reflected in the music compositions

he creates on the PC. 

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For 14-year-old Dhananjay Sharma, dabbling in IT was a far-fetched dream.

Today, you can see him using the PC with effortless ease–building models and

creating images. He recently won accolades for his project on water sanitation

and he now wants to do more to uplift his community. 

The dreams of these children are being nurtured at the Intel Clubhouse.

Located at Katha Khazana, Clubhouse is a community-based learning center that

runs out of New Delhi’s largest slum cluster, Govindpuri. "We wanted to

take the benefits of technology to all sections of society. These children will

have access to hi-tech equipment that will help them develop skills that create

opportunities, encourage self-confidence and foster creativity. The Clubhouse

model is based on supporting learning through design experiences and helping

them build on their own interests," explains Debjani Ghosh, regional

manager, Education Programs, Intel–Asia Pacific.

“It is very fulfilling to nurture these children and to provide them tools to enhance their learning experience”

Deepa

Mahajan



 IT project head 


Katha Khazana

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Designed for children in the age group between eight and 18, the Intel

Computer Clubhouse Network is based on the Computer Clubhouse learning model

created by the Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, and the MIT Media

Laboratory in 1993. Intel provides financial assistance and technical expertise

while mentoring the project. The company intends to set up 100 such Computer

Clubhouses worldwide, which will provide creative and safe after-school learning

environments to youth in under-privileged communities.

Katha’s innovation



Supposed to be the first of its kind, the Clubhouse set up under Intel’s ‘Innovation
in Education’ program is run by Katha, an NGO that has been running

community-based education programs since 1990. Technical training has always

been part of Katha’s community development program.

In fact, the children at Katha even develop and design learning material

using the computer for those in the junior and preschool levels. They also

design blueprints for urban homes and in the process, develop skills using CAD

and related software. They carry out surveys, work on maps and learn to work on

data management techniques and financial packages.

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"The idea is to learn by doing rather than learning to do," says

Deepa Mahajan, IT project head at Katha Khazana. Having put in 10 years in the

IT industry, the engineer finds satisfaction here. "It is very fulfilling

to nurture these children and to provide them tools to enhance their learning

experience," she says.

Katha supports Clubhouse members in planning their future and realizing their

potential, leveraging on the technological skills and experience they acquire at

the Clubhouse. The aim is to provide young people with the skills and knowledge

needed to take an active role in their success, to explore professional jobs and

academic opportunities and learn from people who have already succeeded

professionally.

Intel’s mission



"Our idea is to encourage people to use IT and prepare a tech-savvy

workforce for tomorrow," says Ghosh of Intel. "This is a socially

motivated initiative that falls under human resource development and is not a

marketing gimmick," emphasizes Ghosh.

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Intel’s education mission started in 1998 when CEO Craig Barrettt felt that

instead of making ad-hoc donations to charity, the company ought to invest in

education.

Although Intel has various other programs such as teachers’ training and

higher education at engineering colleges and as part of its education

initiative, the Clubhouse seems to be the most effective, especially when it

comes to social upliftment. "While our higher education programs are aimed

at improving the quality of the curriculum, this one is focused on improving the

lives of under-privileged children, giving them tools they cannot afford

otherwise," says Ghosh.

Commenting on the need to tie up with an NGO, she says, "We wanted to

make sure that our hardware is maintained and utilized properly. Tying up with

an NGO like Katha helps enhance the usefulness of our program." Mahajan of

Katha agrees, "Sometimes, corporate investment in welfare projects does not

meet the desired objectives because these companies are not experts in managing

such activities. So, Intel does what it is best at doing–providing

infrastructure. And we do what we are best at–social work."

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The impact



Whether it was out of social concern or to gain indirect business benefits

through branding, Intel’s education mission certainly has had a positive

impact. "These days, many companies are funding welfare programs to enhance

their brand images. But in a way, Intel’s initiative has proved to be a

blessing for us, providing the much-needed funds and infrastructure for Katha’s

IT initiatives," says Mahajan. The response from the community has been

very positive. The present facility has 20 computers and can house 40 children

at a time, but Katha has plans to extend it to more students. Special classes

for summer vacations have begun.

In a survey conducted by IMRB to assess the effectiveness of this education

initiative, 96% of teachers felt that the students had benefited from

technology-aided learning, 93% felt student interest in the subject had

increased, 86% observed greater retention and 50% felt absenteeism had

decreased. "These children are all aware of the significance of IT. Not all

of them would take it up as a career option, but they do display an interest in

technology and apply it in their area of interest be it music, art, design and

architecture, films or anything else," says Mahajan.

"It is interesting to see how kids and their parents are gradually

becoming ambitious in their aspirations. Earlier, you would find most of them

wanting to become teachers or acquiring some clerical job. Now they want a lot

more," says Ghosh. More than just the noble cause, it is the clearly

defined approach and right attitude towards the mission that has got the

results. If more such companies come forward and invest even a small fraction of

their earnings towards such causes, it would help the country in its endeavor to

bridge the digital divide.

SHWETA VERMA in New Delhi

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