The project Computer Literacy for Refugees is the solidarity initiative of our young volunteers that has been carried out under the European Solidarity Corps.
About the project
The COVID-19 pandemic reviled new challenges for our society. One of those challenges has been addressed by a large group of refugees who, due to a lack of computer literacy, had to face a number of problems during the lockdown. We saw numerous refugees seeking help to access a piece of specific information and fulfill basic daily needs such as making an appointment in shops. That was an unexpected discovery and our team of volunteers came together to initiate this solidarity project to help refugees in our neighborhood to learn new skills, get access to new opportunities for a more comfortable life, learning and job opportunities.
Target group
First of all, we want to help people who want to learn to work on the computer. The main target group is refugees, as COVID-19 has made their lives quite complicated in the Netherlands since everything was closed down in the early stage of their integration and learning path. Some of those people speak only basic Dutch, do not know well how everything works and need a lot of information and support.
Computer Literacy Classes for Refugees
Learn more about the project activities bellow
Introduction
To make sure that the project is productive and our target group learns exactly what is needed, the volunteers decided to start the project with an introduction session. During this session, the volunteers introduced themselves and through indirect and well-thought questions reviled the primary needs of our target group.
Thanks to the well-organized teamwork, volunteers managed to create a friendly and trusting atmosphere. The target group enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to new and interesting learning opportunities.
Internet Search
A very basic but very important topic for every internet user. This workshop was dedicated to internet search and navigation. This was a very useful topic for our target group.
Online shopping
COVID -19 changed our lifestyle. A lot of activities moved to online platforms, including shopping. Therefore our volunteers decided to tackle this topic. It was especially appreciated by our target group as the workshop took place right before Christmas. Our target group managed to use newly learned skills to enjoy the seasonal shopping
During the workshop, our dear students learned how to create a shopping account, order products and pay online.
Internet security
How to write official and personal letters?
As young and responsible citizens, our volunteers know the importance and online security. Thus, an entire workshop has been dedicated to security. During this workshop, the volunteers talked about possible scam scenarios, explained the importance of secure password creation and much more.
Within the Computer Literacy Classes for Refugees project, our volunteers aim to help the target group to gain the necessary skills and competencies to feel independent in daily life fulfill the needs. Thus, following the request of the target group, this workshop was dedicated to Letters. During the workshop, our volunteers explain the types of letters, the structure of official and non-official letters, they discussed in which case we usually write official letters, etc.. The volunteers explained how to prepare a regular paper-based letter and an email. It was a very nice example of cooperation as this workshop was very useful for our volunteers as well since they also improved their own skills regarding official correspondence.
OTT Communication services
Over The Top (OTT) communication services are an important part of our daily lives. But due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the role of various communication services became more visible and valuable.
Therefore our volunteers have dedicated special attention to these services. This workshop was about WhatsApp and Telegram.
The target group of the project learned a lot about mobile and PC OTT applications. The volunteers also paid special attention to personal data protection and the risks of possible scamming.
Skill test and material repetition
Improving our typing skills and learning shortcuts
In addition to our regular tests, this time the volunteers organized a big test covering all the topics. The target group checked the learnings and ask questions, replete all the topics. As well the target group learned how to share media content with friends and facility using different applications and file sharing platforms.
We are mastering typing skills with time, but there are some small secrets that let us be more productive and type quickly. On the other hand, there are many online application forms that also make an important part of our digital journey. This workshop was dedicated to the improvement of typing skills of our target group. The volunteers prepared a vary handy documents explaining the keyboard and possible combinations of buttons that aim to ease typing.
Skype and Zoom
Video conferencing is very popular and very useful especially now since many organizations prefer working and teaching online. Following the request of our target group, the volunteers organized a workshop about Skype (for personal communication with friends and family back in their homeland) and Zoom (for online learning) applications.
Graduation
Graduation event was just fun! A lot of positive emotions, words of gratitude to the team of volunteers, Solidaruty Bridge Foundation and the European SOlidarity Corps.
