Ambika Dhungana, schoolteacher in Saraswati Primary School, Tarkeshwar – 3.
Few weeks ago, Ambika had the opportunity to participate to a computer class proposed by Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) in the Women’s Business Center (WBC) located in Tinpiple. She heard about it through the Women Empowerment Team which often visited the school she is working in to provide several workshops. They had the chance to talk and that is how Ambika knew that the Team was providing computer class. That is the reason why she decided to come to the WBC to receive it.
At the beginning, Ambika had absolutely no idea how to use Gmail, MS Power Point, Word, etc. Gradually, she learned about the basics of the computer itself, Google apps, keyboard typing, MS Excel, and many more. “The computer curriculum was designed according to my needs, knowledge, and practice, which made it suitable for me to grasp the contents readily. These skills have helped me in my profession whenever required. For instance, I can write letters, create a result sheet of my students, mail important documents to personnels, etc.”.
Before taking this class, Ambika was extremely scared of even touching a computer. Indeed, she told us that “in front of students, I used to feel embarrassed and nervous because I had no computer skills”. After the training, she felt much more confident in her ability and experience, even if she faced some challenges, especially while using MS Excel due to its need to remember formulas. To overcome this challenge, Ambika is practicing whenever she has free time.
She is now encouraging people in her community, as well as her students, to receive similar training because we are in a technologically advanced era. Ambika can teach her students about computer basics. Therefore, this class boosted her confidence and self-esteem: that is why she is thankful to VIN for providing it. “To VIN and the Women Empowerment Team that provided this training, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. Without their initiative and support, I wouldn’t have had the courage to give myself an opportunity to be digitally literate. They were very patient during the sessions, took their time to teach word-by-word, no matter how many times I would need revisions.”
Nowadays, Ambika is perceived as an example by the other women of the community and here is the message she wants to communicate to them: “I would like to encourage every woman of the community to follow this training. Although not today, one day digital knowledge will sure be helpful. You can teach your children, other community people, or it might be helpful while applying for jobs”.