Workshop on Applying for Matching Grants (if needed): 30 July 2006
Venue: Rotary Centre, Auto Mobile Association Building, Galle Face, Colombo-01
Allocation of DDF funds is based on first come first served basis
About the Project
Preamble:
As per RI criteria for 2006, conducting a functional literacy programme is mandatory to eligible for citations. This year we recognise two types of programmes
A) Computer literacy through setting up a computer lab and training the needy
and/or
B) Conducting a spoken English programme catering for at least 60 blue collar workers or unemployed youths seeking for jobs.
Individual clubs may choose at least one programme. The district will support by providing equipment (computers) or funding through matching grant arrangement for about Rs. 100000.00 -200000.00 for the above project A.
What is Functional Literacy?
While conventional literacy means ability to write, read and comprehend, functional literacy has a quite different meaning. Functional literacy means ability to use printed and written information to function in society to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. He/she should be able to write the address on an envelope, read the root number of a bus. Research indicates that 20-60% of those tested failed to perform successfully at tasks such as writing a check that a bank could process, addressing an envelope adequately, figuring the difference in price between a new and used appliance, etc.
A). Computer literacy through setting up a computer lab and training the needy
Objectives
Computer literacy has become a must for any type of worker in the modern world as the type writer gone out from the world, the principal way of speedy communication is done through email, and main source of acquiring knowledge is through web access. Though every villager has no power to purchase a computer they should possess this knowledge so that the knowledge can be transferred to their children too. Empowering the literally handicapped through IT education has been a widely accepted concept in many parts of the world. It is the target of our Rotary District to provide computer literacy to the underdeveloped communities in the country to bridge the knowledge gap between the rich and the poor, so that the poorest of the poor too will have the computer literacy to function properly at his or her work place or to find a better job. Our target is to provide computer literacy to at least 100000 annually. We expect to establish between 100-400 computer centres during the 2006/2007 Rotary Year.
Our target group:
In this project we focus our attention to the rural community. Even the farmer of a village should have the knowledge on how to switch on a computer, identify the key board, knowledge on word processing to get a print of a letter/document and access to the web and send and receive message through e-mail after a training of about 20-40 hours (in 2-4 hours evening classes). No certificate level education is expected. However, the computers given for this project may be used for other purposes such as certificate level education during the rest of the time.
Implementation
It is recommended that interested clubs should select a place of religious worship like a temple, church to house the computer lab for the sustainability and the security of computers. The respective club should try to get a secured building or a room by talking to the head priest or the authority concerned. (Already two such computer labs are being implemented successfully in two temples in Biyagama and Dompe).
Each lab should consist of minimum 5 branded computers (at least P III with one having facility for internet connection), a scanner, UPS and a printer amounting to about Rs 100000.00 – 200000.00. It is recommended to have a separate phone line for internet connection wherever possible. The District will look into the possibility of providing a low cost CDMA phone within the above package. The district will arrange to provide above requirements from external resources on first come first served basis through a matching grant. However, the respective clubs are expected to organise the infrastructure facilities like furniture (tables, chairs, cupboards etc.) if the place of religious worship is not going to provide those items.
Through a preliminary survey conducted recently we have found nearly 80 such religious places willing to provide the room, tables and chairs so that the ROTARY CLUB INVOLVED WILL HAVE TO BARE NO COST AT ALL IN THIS PROJECT. If you cannot find such places please send in your email address to chandana@phys.cmb.ac.lk with subject heading ROTARY COMPUTER CENTRES so that I could send you that list for you to select 5 – 10 religious places.
How to Cover the Recurrent expenditure ?
Payment for instructor if necessary and repairing of computers, internet usage (if this facility is provided), electricity bill etc. can be borne by the respective clubs or can be covered by taking a registration fee (like Rs 200.00 if they wish to) from each participant. If the participants are so poor to pay this amount a club member can sponsor such participants as a charity.
Subject Areas and Training of Trainers:
It is found that there are a large number of priests who could take care of the centre and conduct classes. Also there are youth societies attached to the religious places where there are qualified computer trained members. As such it is possible to hand over the computers and the operation of the Computer centres to the religious place concerned and the programme could be conducted by a society or an individual(e.g the chief priest) under the frequent supervision of the respective Rotary Club. Where necessary, the district will do the free training of trainers. Common study guideline and study materials will be provided by the Rotary District.
Assessment/Evaluation at the end of three months period
After two-three months of teaching, a small skill test can be held to see whether they could type a letter, send an email etc. Successful candidates will receive a certificate with signatures from District Representative, the Club President and Project Chairman of the Club and the priest/master who trained the participants (optional).
At the end- what we gain…
Any club can do more than five centres ! Wealthy club members could start up their own charity project through the club under this programme.
The knowledge will be useful only if one could use it for his personal development or the development of the nation. This is the vision of the functional literacy programme. As able Rotarians, it is your moral duty to upgrade the functional literacy of needy people around you. If the project can be implemented for four years we could train 400000 illiterates and that will give a tremendous impact to the development of the country.
This is an ongoing project and with no doubt the clubs will get publicity and recognition in their own areas.
WHAT YOU AS PRESIDENT ELECT SHOULD DO NOW-IMMIDEATLY
1. Appoint sub-committee with a club member as the chairman and few others members interested to set-up a computer centre in his/her home town or any area of the country; under the Director/Vocational Training.
2. It is recommended that each club should select 5-10 places of religious of worship as it will then be easy to cover the minimum matching grant value of US$10,000. (Otherwise the Assistant District Governor will have to join several clubs intending do only one centre each and this could be a tedious job). You do not have to pay a single cent. The District will look after the matching grant funds. A common matching grant format will be sent to you in due course for this purpose as soon as the interested clubs informed us about the following details to chandana@phys.cmb.ac.lk with a copy to DGE.
For example if you want to set up 10 centres, those can be located close to each other or scattered all over the country.
3. Provide us the following information
(a). Photograph of the site(not necessary at the first stage),
(b) Address of recipient(e.g. Chief priest's name) ,
(c) Beneficiaries (e.g. 40 villagers per month),
(d) Number of people in the village served by each centre,
(e) Person responsible in the Rotary Club or project Chairman's name and email address and telephone number.
When we receive those information we will assist you to fill-up the matching grant form! (Already a few clubs have sent us their lists.)
B) Spoken English Programme:
The programme envisage the teaching of spoken English for about 4 hours per week for a period of 4 moths (total 64 hours) and to issue a certificate at the end. Participatory clubs must inform the venue (place of conduct by June, September or December 2006 to insert their club names in to the common paper advertisement). It is recommended that we conduct these classes free of charge where ever possible, but take a registration fee of Rs 200.00 or some nominal fee.
NOTE: Clubs with more than 40 members are encouraged to carry out both the programmes
For details please contact: District Governor for 2006/2007
or Chairman- Functional Literacy(2006/2007) Dr. Chandana Jayaratne
Tel: 0714 800800; email: chandana@phys.cmb.ac.lk