Project Underdog
Do not let poverty ruin their future
With a computer literacy rate of less than 7% and many claiming to have never heard of or seen a computer, it is alarming for India that the trend continues to stay the same. Computer literacy is not only important but necessary because it is the foundation for a progressive and developing nation. Computer literacy is the only way for India to walk towards a global change. It is promising and can completely change the picture of rural India.
Project Underdog is ServePlanet's mobile computer literacy programme for India aimed at imparting computer skills to socially and economically disadvantaged communities. ServePlanet will set up computer literacy camps in various villages in India which will increase computer literacy as well as help the villagers living below the poverty line to aspire for better jobs and employment facilities. It will also help them improve and hone their skills in mathematics, basic calculation and English as well.
Using the publicly available data: Poverty & Equality Data Portal, World Bank data and UNESCAP Report on Sustainable Development, ServePlanet has zeroed down on the villages near tier- 4 cities in India where there is an urgent need of computer literacy. The camp shall run from village to village and will be set-up at each location for a period of one week. These camps shall be run by local volunteers and training will be provided by young and dedicated teaching staff. Along with the computer literacy, ServePlanet will also impart a training on breaking the plastic pattern and its use in the daily lives of the individuals. They will also be given practical tips for reducing their use of single-use plastic. All will be encouraged to sign a pledge to discontinue the use of plastic.
Project Underdog is a job-creation strategy for the people living in poverty and will help the socially and economically disadvantaged communities enter the labor force. The project will augment their technological skills and will accelerate their personal growth empowering them towards becoming self-sufficient.
Impact & Public Benefit
ServePlanet is initially aiming to run the computer literacy camp for a period of 6 months. By working in close partnership with the socially and economically disadvantaged communities, ServePlanet is ensuring that lack of funding and poverty doesn't mar their chances of learning through education and training and becoming self-sufficient. At the same time, an increase in their knowledge about the harm of single-use plastic will ready them for conserving the environment and reducing the plastic pollution.