The Hindu Business Line : Learn to earn

OFTEN one reads about initiatives that take computer education to children in remote and economically backward areas. We read about these children using PowerPoint skilfully to confidently draw and make presentations. But does this education get translated into employment opportunity?

The fact is that even when low-income youth have access to education, such education often teaches neither the technical skills nor the entrepreneurial attitude necessary to break the cycle of poverty.

Applying the wisdom of this insight is the Global Education Partnership (G.E.P.), a network of educators, development professionals, business people, and visionaries.

G.E.P. won the 2004/05 APC Hafkin Prize that recognises community initiatives using the Internet and other digital communication networks to access markets, skills and opportunities to derive real economic benefits.

G.E.P.'s initiatives in Africa are relevant to India too. Here's a snapshot of what it is doing in Africa:

The G.E.P-Wundanyi: Entrepreneurship and Employment Training Program was started in the Taita Taveta District of Kenya, among the poorest districts.

"Agriculture has been the economic backbone of the area. Unfortunately, agricultural specialists anticipate that the average farm size will likely decrease to even smaller farming units that cannot sustain the average Taita Taveta household which is composed of at least seven members — most of whom are youth and children," says the GEP coordinator, Tammy Palmer.

Youth, in particular, will not be able to sustain themselves through traditional, subsistence agriculture given recent population growth and declining agricultural productivity. G.E.P. has developed a 12-week course for youth (15-24 year-olds) called the Entrepreneurship and Employment Training Program (EETP).

"Over the 12 weeks, students learn from entrepreneurship modules that focus on building basic, but important, business development skills, such as costing goods sold, calculating profit and loss, marketing, business plan development, and inculcating social responsibility. Through the work readiness modules, students improve office-related skills such as good communication, interviewing techniques, resume writing, goal setting and time management.

What really sets our program apart from others is that ICT training is woven into the course," says Palmer.

The Divisional Director in Tanzania, Lugendo Hatibu, who oversees training, says, "The course starts with computer training. This enables the students to follow other modules that will require the use of computers. The module aims to teach basic software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint Presentation and effective use of the Internet. This software was chosen because most secretarial jobs are done using MS Word and accountancy activities use Excel."

Hatibu says students also show keenness to learn other software such as Database, PageMaker and for cinematography. So, "students are taken to other places that have different types of computers other than the computers used at G.E.P. These places include industries, private offices and Internet cafes."

"Also, we invited various guest tutors to teach students various uses of the software being taught. We also send students to job-shadowing lessons where they practise skills in an Internship activity before they come to the organisation for graduation," says Hatibu.

Building business skills

The program is offered at no direct cost to students, though they are asked to contribute a `commitment fee' of Kshs.1000 (approximately $12.50). This fee is intended to ensure that students complete the training once the course begins. The EETP is sufficiently popular that a waiting list has been generated after each enrolment period, even though the program is now entering its tenth year.

The true success of the programme is perhaps best shown by G.E.P belief that "entrepreneurs are difficult, if not impossible, to create but they can be identified and supported."

One G.E.P. graduate operates a dairy business where he sells products locally in Wundanyi, such as milk and yogurt, as well as exporting to Mombassa, the largest urban centre in that part of the country. In total, he employs three people in his business at an average salary of Kshs. 1,000 ($12.5) per month.

Another self-employed graduate applying computer skills is a computer technician operating in Voi. He underwent further training in computer maintenance. Today, the international relief and development agency World Vision - Voi is among his clients.

BlastoMmole, 22, is employed as an army officer with the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces in Mlalakuwa Brigade at the second lieutenant position, a job given specially since he is very proficient in using Microsoft Word. Violet Mahimbo, 20 works with the ministry of local governments as a secretary, a job that keeps her family `fed and clothed.'

paromita@thehindu.co.in

Picture by S.R. Raghunathan

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