Dell Connects Youth in Morocco
Two years ago, Dell launched a global signature program, Dell YouthConnect, to address the technology gap and provide breakthrough educational programming to better serve its communities. As part of this program, Dell is proudly supporting UNICEF Morocco and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth & Sport, through “Expanding Access to Technology.” This innovative project focuses on providing information technology to youth who live in the poorest, most vulnerable areas of Casablanca-Rabat region – those who are currently least likely to have technology access and therefore often unable to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Today, through this unique partnership, 130 computers have been provided to 10 youth centers in the Casablanca (Morocco) region, reaching more than 6,000 youth with access to technology. But even more importantly, professional training has been provided to more than 500 youth. Some of the youth receiving training had never even touched a computer. Said, a 16-year-old adolescent explained, “Even in local cybercafés, fees are too expensive, and no one was willing to teach us anyway.” Through this project, youth are learning the skills necessary to obtain jobs, bringing concrete change to their lives. A 19-year-old student shared the confidence he has built through the program, “In addition to the skills, I actually learned that I can still learn.”
“The fact that this operation was conducted by a private company and an international organization reinforces the credibility of the training and offer youth the possibility to interact with people from other areas, including volunteers from Dell, who helped us install the software and are going to provide follow-up practice exercises, especially on difficult software like Photoshop”, says Mr. Rannane, Director from Hay Sadri Youth Center. “We all feel this is a success.”
Much to the excitement of Mr. Rannane and the thousands of children who will be impacted, the second phase of the project will begin in conjunction with the new school year in September. This phase is even more ambitious and will reach 35 youth centers – further impacting the next generation of youth in Morocco.
http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2011/07/dell_connects_with_children_in.html
