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.
