Health and Computer Literacy
When the poorest people in the community have the same opportunities as the richest, it unleashes everybody’s potential, and societies thrive economically. Economic sustainability relates to healthier children with higher mental capacities and good education for all, allowing more capable and well-educated young adults to enter into the workforce. That’s how families, societies, countries, and continents get out of poverty. This was the vision with which HFN Health and Computer literacy program was developed.
Our organization put digital and basic health literacy on the spotlight to unveil the transformative power of technology and digital literacy in the underserved setting. We started setting up a few computers and desks at the government schools and orphan homes. Later on, we developed basic computer literacy videos preinstalled on new computers that we donate to any new schools. Furthermore, we staffed a computer instructor that would go to each school weekly on rotational basis to train students and teachers. The program has been extended to 22 locations in Chitwan and 1 school in Parbat district, Nepal as of May, 2019.
The project encompasses digital literacy, mentoring program and school health literacy program.
Our Mission
To empower children of challenging backgrounds in Nepal by teaching them health and computer skills on-demand that will aid them succeed in their health, education, leadership and career.
Our Vision
To create a community of students whose economic development and sound health is driven by intellectual skills and inspired by education.
Operational Steps
Step 1: Establish a computer room in a secured housing facility with two computers. Arrange computer tutor to educate students on basic computer literacy (related to hardware, software, windows, keyboard components and Microsoft Office). Connect computers to the internet to enhance students’ email and internet skills, once proficient in basic computer skills. Click the blue text below to watch videos.
1. Hardware and software
2. Mouse function
3. Gmail basics
4. Keyboard keys (Caps lock, Shift, Esc, Tab, Alt, Windows, Space bar, F keys, Back space/delete, Enter, Menu, Home, End, Page up/down, Print)
5. Google search
6. Google chrome browser
7. Microsoft word (uses and alternatives, new document, file, home/clipboard/font, overview, home/paragraph/style, insert, page lay out, references, review, view, mailings)
Step 2: Enroll students in PeeR Assisted Educational Enrichment and Mutual Mentoring (PREM) Program upon acquiring of basic internet skills. Students and adults, fluent in English and Nepali, living in English-speaking nations will mentor and provide guidance to Nepali students on communication and networking skills, English language speaking, personal development, problem-solving skills and career choice.
Mentors follow the HFN Mentor Checklist and Structure at each mentoring session. This curriculum is designed to impact four major areas namely:
1. Academic skills (study techniques, educational resources and English learning).
2. Problem-solving (financial, interpersonal and psychological).
3. Personal development (reading, writing, exercise, meditation, gratitude, visualization and affirmation).
4. Career planning.
Step 3: Expert instructors sourced from within and outside the country will periodically deliver educational lectures on relevant topics related to basic health literacy to persistently prune the children’s basic health awareness.
Project Milestones
2016
HFN rolled out Computer Literacy Program in 08/2016 by signing its first memorandum of understanding with Chepang Kendra, Chitwan, Nepal which had sheltered more than 130 students of low-income families.
2017
2018
Project Coordinators/Consultants
Nepal-based Project Coordinators
List of Beneficiaries and Donors
When the poorest people in the community have the same opportunities as the richest, it unleashes everybody’s potential, and societies thrive economically. Economic sustainability relates to healthier children with higher mental capacities and good education for all, allowing more capable and well-educated young adults to enter into the workforce. That’s how families, societies, countries, and continents get out of poverty. This was the vision with which HFN Health and Computer literacy program was developed.
Our organization put digital and basic health literacy on the spotlight to unveil the transformative power of technology and digital literacy in the underserved setting. We started setting up a few computers and desks at the government schools and orphan homes. Later on, we developed basic computer literacy videos preinstalled on new computers that we donate to any new schools. Furthermore, we staffed a computer instructor that would go to each school weekly on rotational basis to train students and teachers. The program has been extended to 22 locations in Chitwan and 1 school in Parbat district, Nepal as of May, 2019.
The project encompasses digital literacy, mentoring program and school health literacy program.
Our Mission
To empower children of challenging backgrounds in Nepal by teaching them health and computer skills on-demand that will aid them succeed in their health, education, leadership and career.
Our Vision
To create a community of students whose economic development and sound health is driven by intellectual skills and inspired by education.
Operational Steps
Step 1: Establish a computer room in a secured housing facility with two computers. Arrange computer tutor to educate students on basic computer literacy (related to hardware, software, windows, keyboard components and Microsoft Office). Connect computers to the internet to enhance students’ email and internet skills, once proficient in basic computer skills. Click the blue text below to watch videos.
1. Hardware and software
2. Mouse function
3. Gmail basics
4. Keyboard keys (Caps lock, Shift, Esc, Tab, Alt, Windows, Space bar, F keys, Back space/delete, Enter, Menu, Home, End, Page up/down, Print)
5. Google search
6. Google chrome browser
7. Microsoft word (uses and alternatives, new document, file, home/clipboard/font, overview, home/paragraph/style, insert, page lay out, references, review, view, mailings)
Step 2: Enroll students in PeeR Assisted Educational Enrichment and Mutual Mentoring (PREM) Program upon acquiring of basic internet skills. Students and adults, fluent in English and Nepali, living in English-speaking nations will mentor and provide guidance to Nepali students on communication and networking skills, English language speaking, personal development, problem-solving skills and career choice.
Mentors follow the HFN Mentor Checklist and Structure at each mentoring session. This curriculum is designed to impact four major areas namely:
1. Academic skills (study techniques, educational resources and English learning).
2. Problem-solving (financial, interpersonal and psychological).
3. Personal development (reading, writing, exercise, meditation, gratitude, visualization and affirmation).
4. Career planning.
Step 3: Expert instructors sourced from within and outside the country will periodically deliver educational lectures on relevant topics related to basic health literacy to persistently prune the children’s basic health awareness.
Project Milestones
2016
HFN rolled out Computer Literacy Program in 08/2016 by signing its first memorandum of understanding with Chepang Kendra, Chitwan, Nepal which had sheltered more than 130 students of low-income families.
2017
- The program developed video tutorials on basics of digital literacy.
- PREM program was started with US-based students mentoring local students monthly via Skype. Mentors reinforce their knowledge of Nepali language and culture while developing leadership and problem-solving skills. They also learn to volunteer and develop an attitude of gratitude from an early age by comparing their education and economic status to their peers’ in developing countries. Similarly, mentees acquire support, supervision and ultimate guidance in a non-judgmental atmosphere so they can develop enough confidence to communicate effectively and sharpen their networking skills. Furthermore, they will explore various educational opportunities, learn the English language and develop strategies to reduce negative emotions, to engender good behavior and address conflict.
2018
- After completion of a successful fundraising campaign, the program was expanded to 22 centers in Chitwan and a permanent computer instructor was hired.
- PowerPoint slides and videos were created on 20 common health morbidities afflicting Nepal, with aim to enhance health literacy of secondary level school students on topics listed below. Click on the link (blue text below) to see videos.
- School sanitation and hygiene
- Oral and dental hygiene
- Menstrual hygiene
- Road traffic injuries
- Accessing emergency medical and security services
- Seeking and analyzing online health information
- Anxiety, depression, emotional and mental well-being
- Health and productivity: diet, exercise, sleep, meditation and gratitude
- Food handling and safety
- Age appropriate cancer screening: pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy
- Immunizations: flu shot, pneumonia shot, tetanus shot
- Hypertension
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Upper (Rhinitis) and lower respiratory tract disease (Asthma/COPD/Pneumonia)
- Cardiovascular disease: Coronary and cerebrovascular disease
- Childhood Malnutrition
- Birth control and safe sex
- Diarrheal diseases
- Neonatal sepsis
- Substance abuse (alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs)
Project Coordinators/Consultants
- Mr. Anup Sharma
- Ashok Devkota, MD
- Ms. Dixya Lamichhane
- Manoj Bhattarai, MD
- Ms. Roshani Bharati
- Tara Sigdel, PhD
- Mr. Pradeep Khanal
- Chooda Mani Khanal, PhD
- Tika Lamsal, PhD
- Sushmita Khadka, MD
- Shristi Lamichhane, MD
- Sansrita Nepal, MD
Nepal-based Project Coordinators
- Mr. Madan Raj Bhatt (Country Director)
- Mr. Bikash Silwal
- Mr. Nabin Shrestha (Computer Instructor)
- Mr. Niranjan Acharya (Computer Vendor)
- Mr. Gorakh Thapa (Health Literacy Instructor)
- Ms. Sulochana Ghimire (Health Literacy Instructor)
List of Beneficiaries and Donors
