Computer Literacy Implementation Programme-CLIP

Computer Literacy and Implementation Programme (CLIP) in Irungalur and Dharapuram, CSI Trichy Tanjore Diocesesponsored by New Beginning Christian Fellowship Church (NBCFC), Southern California, USA

The Computer Literacy Programme is an initiative by The Churches’ Council for Child and Youth Care, Bangalore to educate and practically train children to use computers. Apart from the children in the Project (Residential Home), children from the neighbouring communities and community members also benefit through this Programme. The course curriculum includes all essential computer knowledge required for a child to be integrated into the society with technological skills.

The two Residential Projects for Girls where the CLIP programme was initiated is being administered by The Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Vasanthakumar of CSI Trichy Tanjore Diocese. Among the 9 Residential Project under the Diocese which is being supported by KNH/CCCYC, the Girls in Irungalur and Dharapuram were identified as per the desire of the donors. The Chief Executive of CCCYC, Rev.Solomon Paul Benjamin, inaugurated the Unit, wherein a total number of 6 computers with two UPS facility have been provided to both the Projects by the members of ‘The New Beginning Christian Fellowship’, a Church in Southern California. The occasion was also graced by the other Officers of CCCYC and Diocesan authorities.

CSI Ruth Illam for Girls, Irungalur, Project No. 20473:

Irungalur, a small village, was the missionary headquarters during the British period. The village is a dry region with water scarcity due to scarce rainfall, making agriculture a challenging means to earn a livelihood. Most of the villagers are rural artisans, landless daily labourers. Understanding the need, the Diocese in partnership with KNH ventured to address the holistic needs of the vulnerable Girl Children in the region. The Project  campus has a  higher secondary school with a small dispensary. As a rural upliftment program/project, Irungalur is essentially and indispensability needs the Residential care program. Many girls from lower socio-economic families have been provided with opportunities for education and development and have successfully passed out and have become contributing members of the society. The girls who had benefited are employed as teachers, presbyters, Headmistress,  police, nurses and other leaders of the Government and in the Churches.

Children trying their computer skills at Ruth Illam for Girls, Irungalur

Cultural programme at CLIP inauguration

The Project caters to 50 vulnerable girls (orphans, semi orphans, from broken families) in the Project supported by KNH who are in the age group of 10 to 21 yrs undergoing school education, from standard 3 to 12^th std (Higher secondary) and professional academic / vocational training courses after completion of their school. Further 20 needy school going girls are also provided accommodation in the Project as fee paying boarders for education and development.

Children trying their computer skills

The CLIP programme thus initiated is located right behind the staff room, which could be well accessed by the children and the community. The three computers installed with UPS facilities would add to the skills of the children, who otherwise would have no opportunity to develop them. The computer education provided would enrich their qualifications when they approach prospective companies for appointments and work. The children and above all the parents are much grateful for having provided this opportunities as it would greatly help the community to become computer friendly in the days to come.

CSI CCC Girls Home, Dharapuram, Project No. 20456:

This Residential Care Project is located in Dharapuram, a backward district of Tamilnadu where most of the parents are employed as labourers in hosiery making and inner garment making companies in the near-by Town Tirupur. The Project was established by Methodist Missionary in the year 1929 as an Orphanage first. As a Boarding Home of the Church to provide education opportunity for the poor and down trodden children and is supported by KNH since 1969. The vulnerable girls hail from surrounding communities. Since deep rooted caste system (un-touch-ability) illiteracy, exploitation of the poor landless labourers and vulnerable families, poverty, lack of regular employment, child labour etc is still prevalent in the area the Project continues to be relevant in providing for education and development for equalisation opportunities of the vulnerable children from under privileged communities. Majority of the parents are employed as daily wages labourers in inner garment making companies in the nearby town Tirupur, seasonal agricultural daily wages labourers, etc. Nearly 70 % of the parents are illiterates and others educated upto primary / middle school level.

Project staff and Children - CSI CCC Home for Girls, Dharapuram, CSI Trichy Tanjore Diocese

The Project accommodates 200 girls supported by KNH in the age group of 9 yrs to 20 yrs from the surrounding rural villages. Among them 55 are supported by KNH and the rest are fee paying boarders.    

CCCYC in collaboration with NBCFC have provided three computers with UPS facilities to the Project and has been installed in the spacious Office Room. The Staff, children and parents are very happy for the same as it would help them to secure a good job. As the Project is located in a region where there is much scope for children to find employment in clothing companies, the additional computer knowledge would add to their qualifications, thus landing them in a good position.

Solomon P.Benjamin, Chief Executive-CCCYC being welcomed by children

Chief Executive opening the New CLIP facilities for children in the Project

Computer Room at CSI-CCC Home for Girls, Dharapuram

Thus the installation of computers three in each of the above mentioned Projects would definitely address the technological need of the vulnerable girls in the Project who have come to build their careers thus being the first generation literate girls of the region. Hence the CLIP programme being implemented in these two regions would assist the community to become computer literate and would be able to derive knowledge, solve problems and communicate using computers, which is an immense opportunity for them as such facilities in the region are very few if not non and the few which offers computer education are not affordable by the families living below the poverty line.