Opening Doors through Computer Training
April 2010

The people of Tajikistan are eager to take their place in the modern world, and computers are definitely part of the modern world.  To help Tajiks who want to be part of the modern world Millennium Development Partners provides basic computer training.

Students in our computer courses receive instruction and hands on practice.  Upon completion of the course in 2009, 14 students were presented with certificates that have helped them in their job searches. Topics covered in the introductory course are:

• Introduction to the computer (basic parts of computer, etc.)
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Power Point
• Internet Explorer
• Adobe Photoshop

The teacher of the Computer Program is very encouraged with the opportunities this class is creating for his students; many of them have been able to find work using their new skills, in spite of the challenging economic climate.

Help! We need more computers!

Currently, the only limitation in expanding this program is funding.  More computers and more internet access would help tremendously in our efforts to meet the needs of those anxious to utilize modern technology.  There is definitely a demand!

If you can help us continue to help Tajikistan take its place in the modern world please see the options for donating on the Give page.

Baalty Scores Big in Cairo
Summer 2009

Children of all ages, all over the world love computer games.  But while children like to play games, it is not uncommon in many countries for children to have to work to help support their families.  Many of these children don’t have time for games.  But Baalty is a different kind if game.

Baalty means My Shop in Arabic; it is an on-line computer game that teaches small business skills, entrepreneurialism, and micro-loan management.  The game and contest are aimed at the very children whose poverty makes it necessary for them to work.   By putting business skills into an appealing game format, children are given a head start in the game of life.

In 2009 a Millennium, Canada team in Egypt provided the web hosting and administration for the contest.  Children from all over Egypt entered into the game and were separated into four groups.  First, boys and girls were divided into separate groups, then theses two groups were divided by age: 12-15 year olds and 16-18 year olds.

Based on their game scores, three finalists from each category were selected from different areas of Egypt.  They went to Cairo for the finals, be held November 18, in al-Azhar Park. The winner in each category received the first prize; a Sony Netbook computer.  All finalists also received gift certificates from a major restaurant chain in Egypt.

The game has been so successful that Millennium in Cairo has had requests for a Spanish version of Baalty for use in Central America.

English Conversations in Northern Iraq

In February 2009 the Women and Family Center in Rapareen welcomed five English teachers from the U.S. as part of a six-month USAID project at the local university.

These teachers came prepared!  Despite jet lag and culture shock they jumped right in, teaching 20 hours a week to over 500 students.  The teachers used multimedia, creative games and other tools to help students improve their conversation skills and knowledge of spoken English. Here are comments from two students about their most enthusiastic instructor:

“I [enjoyed] Ms. D because she treated us just like a friend... The class was dynamic; there was much laughing in the class and she [made the] English language easier and simpler. . . . I’d like to learn about people’s culture around the world.”

“It is fun, and because it is fun I learned many new things. And Ms. D is so nice… it is important to be nice when you are teaching.  The first words that I learned in this class were zest and zeal and salutation and reconciliation… I learned many new poems that I love… I like to learn new information about American culture.”

So successful was this project that university faculty began requesting workshops geared to their various work and professional needs.  Our teachers were more than happy to oblige.  They agreed to hold a two-week intensive course for university teachers.  The purpose of this program was to raise the spoken English comprehension and speaking ability of non-English department faculty members. The focus was on these teachers because with the exception of the Arabic and Kurdish language departments all classes are taught in English.  This class was a huge success, giving the faculty member who attended a new level of comfort and confidence with the English language.

While Iraqi students received a little bit of America, our American teachers took home a little bit of Iraq.  They learned how to wear traditional clothes and feasted on the local cuisine.  They learned many of the customs, including how welcoming and warm the Iraqi people can be.  And we know they went home with a little bit of Iraq tucked firmly in their hearts.

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