Time to Teach Afterschool?

The Times of India's Teach India campaign has generated some interest in volunteering. Teach India is a social initiative of the Times of India group. It brings together volunteers and about 60 NGOs in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The volunteers give time to teach children associated with the NGOs (two hours a week, for 3 months).

I participated in a seminar on urban development a couple of years ago - one of the speakers was a mayor from Germany. She remarked that one of the most striking difference between her city and mine was (no, not the usual - pollution, unruly traffic, poverty..) the lack of volunteering! In her city, she said, nearly everyone gives time - volunteering in a school, at a day care facility, a library, anywhere to work for their city! I would have felt better if she had pointed out the pollution instead!

How can afterschool time help to build a 'culture' of volunteering in children? One way is to get children to teach - less well off kids in the neighbourhood, younger kids in the same program, ... Teaching has this wonderful property - by teaching you learn like never before. So in a sense it is a great methodology that will help children learn better. You teach and therefore you learn (and vice versa).

Afterschool Computer Clubhouse

The Intel Computer Clubhouse is an after-school program, where youth ages 8 to 18 have access to computers and mentoring. The focus is on learning by doing: creating digital artwork, making music and movies, designing websites, etc.

Intel India has partnered with NGOs to set up Computer Clubhouses in under privileged localities in India. The first Intel Computer Clubhouse was launched in New Delhi in December 2001 at the Katha Khazana, an NGO-run school for children from Govindpuri slum area in Delhi. The second clubhouse was set up in partnership with Children's Love Castle in Bangalore in December 2002.

Computers Afterschool and Dell

Talking about resources for afterschool, there seem to be some funding support available for programs run in a not-for-profit context serving underprivileged children. This post is about Dell's efforts.

Literacy India (an NGO) and Dell Foundation have just announced the opening of the first Dell Multimedia Computer Center in India (located in Bajgera Village in Gurgaon). The Dell Knowledge Center (with 20 desktops) will offer 13-19 year olds skills like multimedia, 3D imaging, sound and video editing, desktop publishing, etc.

This is not Dell's first foray into supporting computer education. Through its h.u.g. (helping u grow) program, it has supported:
- a Dell Computer Center for the children of the Parikrama Learning Center in Sahakarnagar, Bangalore reaching under-served children.
- a 'Learning into the Future-Preparing Youth for the Digital Age' program to the Hope Foundation in Hyderabad which provides computer education to under-privileged school children and college students.

If you are planning an afterschool computer/technology education program for under-privileged children, you could try tapping IT companies for support.