Autazes Computer Classroom Pilot Summary
Initial results from the children's center computer classes in a poor community in Brazil.
Phase 1 (Pilot Program) Summary
The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive. The children report being amazed and feeling blessed to have an opportunity to have access to computers and learn skills they never dreamed possible. The Foundation reports that children who have not shown an interest in other activities are now participating in the computer classes. More children are being reached and are being taught skills that will support better life and job opportunities.
What we did
In February 2020, four Raspberry Pi computers were delivered and installed for classes at the children’s center in Autazes. Néia, one of the teachers at the foundation, volunteered to develop and teach classes. Twenty students were selected to participate in the classes.
Like the rest of the world, the foundation had to shut down for nearly a year due to the Covid pandemic. After re-opening, Néia began working with students to teach basic typing skills. Several students have completed their typing classes and are now beginning a class on word processing and specifically how to type their school work.
Next Step
With the success of the pilot program showing a positive response to the initial computer training, we wish to move forward with building out a full computer classroom. A computer classroom with 10 computers will enable the foundation to participate in government programs to provide the children with certificates proving they have received basic computer training which is often required for jobs in Brazil. Additionally, we are looking at options for providing internet access at the foundation.
About Autazes
Autazes is a community along the Rio Preto do Pantaleão (Black Pantaloon River). Home to 40,000 people, this community is very poor with few jobs. People often leave to go into the cities to find work. Without good job skills, these people often end up homeless in the favelas (slums) in the city. Because of the poor conditions numerous social problems exist, leaving children on the streets and fending for themselves.
Ray of Hope has a children’s center serving children in a poor neighborhood of Autazes. In 2020, we began a project to help provide computer and job training. We are establishing a computer classroom at the children’s center. This will provide these very poor children with opportunities to learn about computers that can help them find jobs in the future. This also provides services that will encourage the older children to continue with the programs at the foundation, helping to keep them off of the streets longer.