The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : On the path of self-sufficiency

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

On the path of self-sufficiency

Staff Reporter

Bhumi, an NGO, offers free computer education to the jobless and school dropouts

The students are also taught spoken English
For many, it’s the skill that matters, not the certificate

PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

For a better morrow: Students at a computer training programme being held by an NGO, Bhumi, at Rasoolpura. —

HYDERABAD: Sameena Begum and her friends are huddled in front of a computer trying their hand at MS Word. For this ninth class dropout living in Rasoolpura slum, learning computer is a way towards self-sufficiency.

Many like her have found solace in a computer centre that was set up by a city-based Non-Governmental Organisation Bhumi.

Opened in February, the Bhumi-Sonata Centre has over 10 computers donated by Sonata.

A one-room centre, it has had many keen youngsters flocking to it. The news of free-computer education was spread in the slum by Bhumi coordinators Sandhya and Nayeem who are also residents of Rasoolpura.

According to Rakesh Dubbudu, founder members of Bhumi, the course aims at helping the unemployed youth and school drop outs acquire a skill which would get them a job.

Three-month course

Ninth and tenth class students of Government High School, Rasoolpura, too are part of this program.

As part of the three-month course, they are being taught MS Office, Paint, data entry, DTP, etc., by trainer G. Srihari who has completed his B.Sc.

“He has a similar background and we wanted someone who could communicate effectively,” says Rakesh.

Trained for an hour a day, six days a week, they are also being taught spoken English. “After an hour’s class here, we are training them in spoken English,” says Nayeem. Sandhya adds that spoken English infuses a lot of confidence among the children and the youngsters.

“If I speak good English people will give me respect,” says Reshma, one of the students.

More computers

Bhumi is trying to acquire 10 more computers to increase the intake. The students would be awarded a certificate after three months.

But for many, it’s the skill that matters and not the certificate. “I hope to get a job once I learn how to use a computer,” says Mohd. Azeem, a student. According to Rakesh, Bhumi would help place these youngsters in suitable jobs.

Plans are also on to extend the computer and spoken English classes to the middle-aged women who are a part of self-help groups in the slum.

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