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In Chennai, like any city, everyone endeavours to rise up in life. Opportunities are enormous for the young. The use of computers - Desk-top versions to networks to mainframes - has taken economic progress to unprecedented levels in all sectors.
The Need
A reasonable practical knowledge on the use of Personal Computers and softwares is essential for career growth. Computer institutes provide these much needed skills charging reasonable fees for the same. But not reasonable for the aspiring younths from the lower income groups! Fees for even basic courses is close to their parent's monthly salary!
Small scale industries like printing of visiting cards, invitation cards, screen printing or jobs like computer operators are in demand. The pay offered is attractive to these young people. The ‘high' fees at computer institutes keep these youths away from these jobs.
HOPE's affordable alternative
In May 1999, HOPE Foundation started a Computer Training Centre (CTC) at the Gandhi Nagar Slum (behind Government Hospital, Chennai Central), to help youths from low-income families gain computer skills.
In August 2002, with the blessings of the then Chennai Police Commissioner K. V. Jayakumar, IPS, the CTC moved to its new premises inside the Police Quarters at Kondithope, Moolakutralam, near North Chennai.
In order to extend the benefits to more people, HOPE Foundation started its second CTC in the ‘Kannagi Nagar' Slum Rehabilitation Colony at Thuraipakkam, South of Chennai.
The CTCs have obtained enormous help from IBM and Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation to procure computers. And thanks to the Police Department, the CTC at Kondithope works free of the rent and the electricity charges.
How you can Help…
The CTCs incur a cost of 22,500 per month. You can adopt part or whole of the total budget for a specific period.
Organisations you know, or work for, discard used computers periodically. Please help us contact the proper authority to divert such computers to our computer centers when in need.
