PANAJI
Travel technology firm Open Destinations has launched a continuous computer literacy programme for underprivileged children in the State.
This initiative is the result of a collaboration with non-profit NGO Lifeline Foundation, which has been working in the field of health and education for the underprivileged for the last 18 years, states a press release.
Lifeline Foundation identified 10 children from Chimbel and Porvorim to attend the first course and ensured that the entire program was communicated to the parents well in advance.
The course comprised Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Internet and basic HTML.
Children between the ages of 8“15 years have been selected for the programme and have come from economically challenged sections of the society.
Each module lasted for 2 hours on alternate Saturdays, where the children interacted with Open Destinations staff acting as teachers, guides and mentors. Children were also provided with a completion certificate at the end of the course.
The certification ceremony was graced by former deputy mayor and Corporator CCP Kabir Pinto Makhija, Corporator CCP Soraya Pinto Makhija, LifeLine Foundation Executive Director Sheikh Ashpak and management and staff of Open Destinations Goa.
A total of 60 hours have been invested in the programme so far, with volunteers coming from Open Destinations’ local office in Panaji, which has in excess of 400 people. The vision of the new programme is to help eradicate illiteracy from the state and work to create an educated and computer literate society.
“We hope to inspire technology career aspirations for the youth in our area,” said Beheram Cooper, Open Destinations’ SVP of Operations. “Our staff have enjoyed hosting the children at our office and helping them to understand the impact of technology in the modern day.”
Open Destinations is a leading independent software and services provider to the travel sector. Since its inception in 1999, Open Destinations has implemented its software in over 30 countries. The company has a combined staff of over 400 people between the headquarters in London, UK and the development, support and outsourcing centre in Goa.
