On August 20, 2024, VMFT in collaboration with “Perumathura Snehatheeram Penma” organized a
transformative digital literacy workshop in Madanvila, a coastal village in the Trivandrum district. Held at
the S.I.U.P. Hall, the one-day event aimed to empower the local community with essential digital skills,
marking a significant milestone in VMFT’s broader initiative to foster digital literacy across Kerala.
The workshop was a great success, with a high level of participation especially from women. The
approach of the workshop, focusing on practical learning, community-centred strategy and interactive
sessions resulted in an overwhelmingly positive feedback and concrete suggestions for next steps. The
lessons were clear: targeted, hands-on training resonates with villagers; peer-assisted learning boosts
engagement and customized content addresses local needs and spurs interest in advanced topics.
Madanvila, known for its rich cultural heritage and strong community ties, is deeply rooted in traditional
livelihoods such as agriculture, fisheries, and local trade. Yet, like many rural areas, it faces a growing
digital divide. The workshop, a pilot under VMFT’s “Digital Literacy Trainers’ Program” sought to equip
villagers with practical skills for daily use, addressing both opportunities and risks in the digital world.
The workshop attracted 61 participants, including 54 women and 7 men, who represented a wide range
of digital proficiency. Attendees included students skilled in artificial intelligence and software
development, an influencer with tens of thousands of followers, and professionals in education and
social media. However, over 20 participants lacked basic digital communication skills. To address this,
the workshop employed a peer-assisted learning model, where more experienced individuals guided
those with less knowledge, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
The day began with a welcome address from Ms. Jabeena Ansari of Penma, followed by remarks from
Mr. Sakkir Hussain, President of Perumathura Snehatheeram, and the formal inauguration by Ms. Sajitha
Bashir, Vice Chairperson of VMFT.
The sessions, led by Mr. Arun Ravi and Mr. Rijish Rajan, covered technology’s role in daily life,
smartphone usage, social media, and online security. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises,
ensuring they left with skills directly applicable to their routines.
The first session, “Technology and Our Lives,” introduced participants to the rapid advancements in
technology and how these innovations could improve their daily activities. The second session, “Daily
Digital Skills,” provided practical training on smartphone usage, social media, and online communication.
It catered to both beginners and more advanced users, ensuring that everyone could benefit from the
training. The final session, “Risks & Opportunities in the Digital World,” emphasized digital security,
privacy, and the potential dangers of the online world, while also showcasing the numerous
opportunities technology offers.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 52 % of attendees rating it as “completely satisfied” and
another 31 % “very satisfied”. Many requested more workshops covering advanced topics like digital
marketing, video editing and financial literacy, highlighting the growing demand for digital skills in rural areas.
The success of this workshop underscores the importance of targeted, community-centered digital
literacy programs in rural areas. By addressing the specific needs of the Madanvila community, the
workshop not only enhanced the participants’ digital skills but also empowered them to explore new
opportunities for personal and professional growth.