The children in the slum communities in Pakistan have no basic access to education due to lack of resources. Our projects main aim was to provide this opportunity to such children where they are able to receive basic education and essential information, knowledge and skills by means of modern technologies such as laptop computers, Internet connection and learning applications.
The project has been running since 2016. The first center was opened with the aim to cover a specific slum area. The center was equipped with laptops, wireless internet connection, solar energy panels and different sports and game equipment.
Second and third centers were opened soon after. The children were intrigued and brought their friends and siblings to use and learn different things on the laptops. They had never used a computer in their lifetime, but picked it up very quickly. The students were divided into three groups and each group had a laptop to themselves and were given a freedom to research and learn according to their interests with the help of volunteers.
The children started arriving regularily to the center and began learning language skills, basic maths and different handy skills, using tutorials on internet, typing, drawing digital art and a lot more. Later on the students were also provided with an Xbox to experience the world of video gaming.
The results was a great success and the project was and still is reaching its goals and aims.
The first center was a substantial success as students were increasing and were fond of the self-directed method of learning. Seeing this it was essential that we open more centers where children in other areas can also learn and grow.
Three months after the first center opened a second center was opened with all the technology. This led to another huge number of children becoming part of the My Identity School and learning using the laptops and internet in a democratic and self-directed way.
Around nine month later the third center was inaugurated. Now the School was spread in three different places and education was accessible to a large number of children majority of whom had never had a chance but now were learning and gaining knowledge which would change their futures positively.
Originally we only had the laptops and Internet. Then we realized that because the electicity was unstable, the solar panel systems would make the center much more sustainable and functional.
Then we started adding other methods of learning, bought books, games and toys, because students came to the centers even when it wasn't their turn to use the computers, so we needed to offer activities for them too.
Then we wanted to offer even more activities, to make it more like a youth center type of activity center with table tennis and video games. This was because we wanted offer them similar technologies and opportunities that the more well-off children have and to open the world of opportunities to the children.
Finally we started organizing excursions, celebrate holidays, choosing common monhtly topics to study, and participating in the well-being of the wider community through environmental and health projects.
The first important thing is choosing the location. The location must be a remote area where majority of the children do not go to school due to lack of finances and resources. The center must be equipped with computers and internet connection and indoor and outdoor games for students recreation. It is essential that the learning is student oriented and without any pressure from tests and exams.
Main concepts used in our centers are self-directed learning, democratic education, education technology, phenomenon based learning, project-based learning and learning by doing.
