Internet Training for Micro Access Students

Lome, June - July 2005.

The IRC Lome began Internet training on June 10 for 80 young disadvantaged High school students from predominantly Muslim neighborhoods in Lome.  The students, who are also taking courses with the English Language Center (ELC) through a grant provided by the Ambassador’s English Access Micro Scholarship Program, will undergo the training for a month. 
 
The initial idea for this project was inspired by the curiosity of two of these disadvantaged children about the mosques and schools in America described in the magazine “Muslim Life in America” and their desire to be in contact with these American Muslims – a contact which the IRC helped facilitate for them by using the Internet. 
 
Results:  Many of the students were amazed and thrilled just to touch the mouse and the keyboard.  They learned basic searching skills and for the first time became familiar with the Post’s web site.  At the end of the training sessions, students received a copy of the IIP-produced Info USA CD-ROM for future research purposes.  At the end of each training session, the students attentively watched the projection of the IIP-produced PowerPoint on “Muslim Life in America”.