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- Uddami Computer Training Centre for youth from low income communities in Kolkata, India
Uddami Computer Training Centre for youth from low income communities in Kolkata, India
Voting Summary (Elevator Pitch):
Uddami Computer Training Centre empowers youth from low-income communities in urban Kolkata, India through ICT training so they can develop sustainable livelihoods in the ICT sector.
Supporting organization:
Uddami
URL:
http://www.uddami.org
City:
Kolkata
State/Region:
West Bengal
Country:
India
Project Vision Statement & Potential Social Impact:
Uddami Computer Training Centre (Uddami CTC) empowers youth from low-income communities through ICT training. Uddami CTC provides free computer access and practical skill training to increase the capacity of youth in urban Kolkata, India, so they can develop sustainable livelihoods in the ICT sector.
Youth from low-income communities in Kolkata have few economic opportunities. To have an edge in the overcrowded mainstream job market they must develop skills that set them apart because the applicants they are competing with have far better education, resources and connections.
Everyone knows that ICT has taken a firm hold in India. What most people don’t realize is that this technological revolution has affected only a very small percentage of the population. In India there are 14 computers for every 1000 people, only 2% of all schools have computers and internet users are less than 5.5% of the total population. Mr. Abdul Kalam, President of India, told the BBC that nearly a quarter of the country's population could be moved out of poverty if the government continued to back technology as the source of growth.
Uddami CTC offers free courses in practical computer skills, trains our graduates who wish to go back into their communities and teach computer skills to their peers, and partners with other nonprofits to assist them to start viable computer programs based on the Uddami CTC model.
Practical computer skills combined with hands-on experience opens the door to wider economic opportunities. In Indian society the working member of a family frequently support the entire extended family. An increase in the standard of living of one person increases the quality of life and self-worth of every member of the family. Access to technology for youth from low-income families is necessary to be able to break through the class barrier and become self-sufficient, productive members of mainstream society.
Sustainability (financial) model:
Uddami CTC started in 1999 and for the first few years the two American founders funded the project out of their own pockets with the help of donations from friends. Starting in 2003 several foundations in the US and Europe developed an interest in Uddami and have helped fund their vision of practical computer training for youth from low-income families.
Not comfortable with relying on outside help we are trying to create a balance between our nonprofit work and a for-profit business founded on social responsibility principles.
In early 2006 we started a for-profit business http://www.uddamisoftwareservices.com and have developed a pilot apprenticeship program to give our graduates a chance to “earn while they learn”. Real work experience coupled with marketable skills will give these young people the tools and self-esteem necessary to go out and be a success. For many of our students the training offered by Uddami CTC is a unique chance to learn essential computer skills that can offer them a secure, self-sufficient future.
We plan to be self-sustaining and support the Uddami CTC with profits from USS.
Potential obstacles:
Inadequate resources: As the basic computer course is free for our students and we provide expertise to our partner organisations without cost to assist them in setting up viable CTCs of their own, we depend on foundations and private donors for funding. We are trying to move to a more sustainable model with our for-profit business but we still need funding partners to help us achieve our goal of total self-sustainability.
Resource Needs:
We wish to update our technology equipment – we currently have 6 computers and would like to replace two of our oldest machines (whose repairs are beginning to cost more than a new machine) and buy more computers to increase our capacity for both training and for-profit work. We would also like to put in a wireless network system.
Ongoing resources to keep the school and partner project going include teacher salaries, rent, utilities, telephone and internet costs.
Key Milestones:
Replace ageing computers
Purchase new computers
Put in wireless network
Hire another teacher for Uddami CTC
Develop a visit plan and schedule for existing partners
Research and bring in more partners
Find a volunteer to come and teach us about social networking
Project Summary:
Uddami CTC began as a computer school teaching practical, job-oriented skills. Over the past 8 years we have added workforce development through teacher training as well as capacity building for other NGOs who want to start a computer program of their own. We assist other nonprofits in Kolkata by offering free of charge:
· Our own self-developed curriculum
· Technology advice and assistance
· Teachers trained by our Uddami team sourced from our graduates
· Evaluation and Uddami certification of students
· Assessment and training of teachers
· Workshops and training for individuals and organizations
While acknowledging the power of online communities we also know that realistically a huge digital divide exists in India. In order to fully take advantage of all the benefits computer and internet technology has to offer it is necessary to teach our students basic computer skills first. As none of our students have computers at home they need more time and access to be able to develop their skills so they can fully understand and utilize what is available.
Comments
Developing services
I like your project and the combination of for-profit with not-for-profit. Maybe the following could be an idea to add content and income to your project: develop services (by your company and/or your students) that your students could provide on a semi-commercial basis (i.e. at low fees) to individuals and companies that are not (yet) able to afford relatively expensive computers and software. One could think of letter writing, bookkeeping of enterprises, archiving systems, ...
In this way, you will not only provide the technical training to your students, but also a practical one, and you may generate a (little) income to buy new computers.
I know you are based in a huge city, but may I point you to the Farmer 2 Farmer Learning project I nominated. It aims at providing a tool that could be used for such kind of services to farmers.
Friendly greetings
Don Jansen
reply to developing services
This is an excellent idea - we currently provide some free and low-cost services to other nonprofits such as teacher training, web design, maintenance and hosting, database development, printing, newsletter design, workshops on computer maintenance and English editing. I am sure we could expand these services to include other services as well.
I took a quick look at the Farmer 2 Farmer Learning project, it looks quite interesting and I will go back to look again when I have more time. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Best regards,
Alison
Uddami
158/4 Prince Anwar Shah Road
Kolkata 700045 West Bengal, India
http://www.uddami.org
Great idea, but the
Great idea, but the principal problem in the third world is the access to telecommunications. A network technology which provide low cost access and support web2.0 services. Over the network layer you could deliver all web2.0 services (blogs, wikis, IMs) and education, health, microlending, business, etc.
My organization is working in the access layer and we are looking for partners to deliver services like the services offered by your project. Because of we are based in Peru I think we could collaborate.
http://microtelco.culturalibre.info/
Great Program
This sounds like a great program. Last time I was in Kolkata there seemed to be signs everywhere advertising expensive schools to train people, but there is a clear gap for the majority who cant afford it. A cap driver told me a great story about how his daughter got into a program like yours and was able to get a great job and then go on to college.
I would love to put you in touch with some of our parters in Kolkata - we just set up a program with Apne Aap to send red light district kids to school, and they have some teens who would be great for your program. I can be contacted at
john @ madebysurvivors.com.
Start one of my own
I am planning to start a for-profit and non-profit computer training center in the US. Are there any helpful ideas you can give me. I already have a center with 6 pc. I am hoping to start in the next month or so. You can contact me at joe@datatelonline.net
re: great program