Ambedkar Community Computing Centre (AC3)
What is community computing model?
Community computing is an empowerment initiative owned by the local
community to bridge the widening digital divide, using free software.
What is the vision?
- Create self sustained and gainfully employable local community with quality computer skills.
- Enable upward social mobility to the children by providing computer skills and mentoring in academics
- Create agents of change from the local community who can be catalysts for a social transformation.
What is the working model?
- Volunteers from software companies teach selected/senior youth from the community
- Free software (GNU/Linux, open office, gimp etc.) is used
- The local youth in turn teach the younger children
What motivates the volunteers?
- Satisfaction of making a positive change in the community
- Recognitions like Richard Stallman's visit
- Outcomes like drawings by a 9th standard student
What is AC3 (Ambedkar Community Computing Center)?
- It is a computer center based on community computing model, located in Sudarshan Layout (behind IBM off of Bannerghatta Road), Bangalore.
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Run by local youth (Sarasu, Mani, Santhosh et.al.) with the help from
Ambedkar Youth Sanga, Sthree Jagruthi Samithi, AID Bangalore and Free
Software volunteers.
Is AC3 the only center?
Two more community computing centers have been started.
- 1. Thilak Nagar -- Started in April 2009
- 2. Shanthi Nagar -- Started in June 2009
And, one center in Arasu colony behind Jalbhavan (started Jan 2009) focusses on improving the academic skills
I remember reading about AC3 in the newspapers..
Yes. AC3 has these press coverages:
- Coverage about Mani in DNA india
- Coverage in DNA India
- http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121550260200.htm
- http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/02/stories/2008070261950300.htm
- http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/276-computer-center
- http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112354831000.htm
What are the future plans?
- Improve the teaching quality to a significant measurable level.
- Improved and fun filled curriculum following experimental/play way method
- Replicate AC3 to atleast 5 more urban slums in bangalore
- Explore local enterprise options
How do I help?
- Volunteer your time teaching
- Donate used laptops
- Donate money to sustain the centers
- Get your company to donate used/usable laptops
- Help in starting up new centers in Bangalore
- Help with improving the curriculam
Who should I contact for further info?
Please call Balaji at 94485 87772 or email ambedkar.c3@gmail.com
