In 2024, we offered computer training to 124 high risk girls and marginalized women in Kolkata. Another 50 have just begun their 6-month course.
⭐ 74% of program graduates who were eligible to work (not in full time college), were able to increase their income, and the average increase in income was 688%.
⭐Over 80% of Trainees experienced substantial improvement in their life skills, financial literacy, confidence and social-emotional wellbeing.
Beyond the gains which could be measured in the course of the year, we expect that the long term gains will be even more remarkable. The value of being allowed to leave the home, to convene with other women, to learn new skills and education, to understand one’s rights and human worth, is profound. We expect that in 10+ years, the women who graduated from this training will have better lives, more personal freedom, higher income, more agency, and better self-esteem than their peers who did not have this opportunity. As a result, they, and their daughters, will be less vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
From right to left: class time at HFC’s Learning Center in Sonagachi, Mental Health Workshop with Tish Roy
Much of this training was offered in partnership withUddami India Foundation, with support from the Guru Krupa Foundation. Uddami is a unique organization, offering high quality computer training that is responsive to the changing needs of the job market, to young people from the most marginalized backgrounds. Below is an interview with Executive Director Harshamanjari Nanda, in which she shares the ‘special sauce’ that makes Uddami so successful.
How important is computer proficiency for getting professional jobs in India?
Almost all office jobs in Kolkata / India require computer proficiency. The IT sector is providing the maximum amount of employment. Thus, basic knowledge in computers is very much necessary to work on customised software, online communication and data management. Knowledge of computers is a must in whichever sector you join.
The trainees who are also pursuing their high school or college education also need computer knowledge for completing online assignments, project works, classes and most of the competitive exams are online.
What are the barriers for marginalized youth in getting computer training?
Marginalized young people mostly go to public schools taught in local languages, and are weak in English language. English remains the primary language used in computers. Except for government-run centres, most available computer courses are expensive- inaccessible to those from low-income groups. Girls are the lowest priority when it comes to family spending for education.
Girls and women also face restrictions on their mobility, education and career choices and thus if computer schools are not available in their vicinity they are not allowed to go outside to access the opportunity. Even if a young person wants to access computer courses online, they do not have their own mobile phone or laptop. Girls usually use the phone of their father or brother. Expenses for internet connection is another challenge.
What are the biggest barriers overall facing young women from marginalized communities in W. Bengal
The first and foremost is restriction on mobility for girls and women. Girls also face restrictions in relocating for jobs or jobs that require rotation duty (especially night duty). Thus, they refrain from pursuing courses that might require working away from home or in an office set up with men for late hours.
Orthodox thoughts, religious beliefs and patriarchy (women are still considered to be home makers and meant to work at home, doing child care and managing household chores) is a barrier to free will of girls and women. Unlike men, women bear the imposed burden of family prestige and honour and thus their movement, choices, higher education, choice of friends, job outside home or in another town is a strict No.
Early marriage, pressure to get married, and not considering careers to be a priority for women is also one of the barriers to girls being enrolled in skills training programmes and becoming financially independent. Young women mostly do not find role models or mentors around them who can encourage them to pursue a career. Without support from family or role models in the community, the motivation to seek out skills training may be low.
What internal barriers (limiting beliefs) do your students have, and how do you address them?
Students from marginalized community have self-doubt and lack confidence mainly because of their socio-economic status
Solution: Encouraging them, being non-judgmental, being patient with them, including parents in their growth journey. They have fear of speaking English and fear of technology (mostly girls).
Solution: Conducting classes in both English and their mother tongue, customizing the curriculum and making it more worksheet driven, encouraging rational thinking and problem solving. Self-doubt leads to doubt about a career in the IT sector and in dreaming big about their growth in their career.
Solution: Giving orientation on prospective job market, conducting career counselling sessions, meeting with Uddami Alumni and sharing success stories. Conducting Employer Engagement programmes to negate self-doubt and to get first hand understanding from an industry representative. Sessions are taken on Soft Skills and Grooming. Goal setting for the future is rarely found among this group. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, they can barely overcome the first level of physiological needs.
Solution: Life Skills Training and sessions on Social Emotional Learning.
For those not going into IT jobs, how are they using the training in other kinds of jobs?
Administrative and Office Support Roles (Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets (like Microsoft Excel), and presentation software (like PowerPoint) is crucial for tasks such as managing schedules, handling correspondence, organizing data, and preparing reports.)
One of our students is running a cybercafé business (using computer skills for online forms, ticket booking, bill payment etc.)
What are the favorite and least favorite (or hardest) parts of the course for the students?
Most Favourite: Students enjoy applying the theoretical knowledge they have learned while solving the exercises. Activities like creating presentations, working on spreadsheets, making drafts and letters and creating web page allow them to see tangible results. Students also like using the internet and exploring its unlimited resources to use in class projects. They all love applications like Canva, and different AI tools also excite them.
Least Favourite: The typing exercise that we begin with is found to be the least favourite but only at the initial stage. As they pick up the correct fingering and get used to it, they enjoy practicing with typing speed games. For a few students, classes on Excel are also a little heavy as this includes formulas and math.
What do you love most about your job at Uddami?
Phone calls where a former student says …” Ma’am, I have been selected for the job” give the most satisfaction. Helping individuals, especially from marginalized communities, acquire skills that can open doors for better opportunities, decent living and brighter future. Seeing them confident and sharing their joy when they can contribute to their family’s survival and wellbeing.
When former students remain connected with Uddami, attend Uddami events, refer students (their siblings, neighbours, college classmates), inform us about job vacancies in their offices, when they call without hesitation to take help if stuck in any office assignments. I love unexpected meetings with students on the road or public transport when they reciprocate lovingly.
Being part of Uddami that is bringing positive social change and giving back to the community also makes us all proud.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
- Selecting students who will diligently finish the course and take up job
- Keeping our low dropout rate (less than 10%)
- Keeping students motivated and engaged and addressing diverse needs of students
- Connecting with reliable job sources and agencies on a continuous basis
How do you keep the drop out rate so low?
We go through a structured screening process, including Mobilization, , Profiling through Google, Interviewing, 2nd round of Screening through Google Form, Home Visit, Onboarding.