Toiling for Technology

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. 

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.

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.

"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.

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."

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