Venera K

Kyrgyzstan, SUSI 2018

Immediately upon her return home from the SUSI program, Venera began working with an NGO on a Digital Literacy training program for middle school students. The NGO was gifted funds from a local company to create and deliver digital literacy trainings to middle school students in 35 schools across three regions of Kyrgyzstan. In the trainings, Venera and other volunteers presented information about virtual security, how to use Internet to get online education, smartphones and apps. Venera reflected on the experience, saying:

“During the lectures, I saw many gaps in the education system of my country. Many children were afraid of speaking, sharing with their opinion and taking initiatives. It was also sad to see that they did not have any specific goals and ambitions in their life.

We conducted lectures in the south part of Kyrgyzstan. This area has an economic potential (friendly climate to grow fruits, corps, vegetables etc. and big amount of people), but it did not seem like it. There were no progress and infrastructure. Local people were very kind and hospitable. Definitely, they deserve a better life. Unfortunately, I have also noticed a lot of sexism in that area (even in schools) which impacted both women and men. One of the schools had a “special” poster with 40 rules for girls to follow. It consists of mind blowing “rules” (like to not wear skinny clothes, not have a boyfriend until marriage, not stay alone with a man, not try to be like a man…), which are human rights violations. This terrible poster has been removed after our volunteer shared it on social media (and one NGO member noticed it).”

While this project was about technology education, it was also an eye-opening experience for Venera to learn more about the education system and reality of gender perceptions in her country. She plans to continue with the trainings until they reach schools in all seven regions of the country.

Two male students learning about smart phone applications.
Students learning about smart phone apps.

A group of school children holding up either red or green cards as part of a digital literacy training activity.
Students participate in digital literacy training session.

Mission

The Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Women's Leadership is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA's mission is "to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations.