IT Navigator project provides digital literacy training
As we move further into a new year, COVID-19 continues to inflict devastation and hardship upon the world. Businesses, schools, and numerous other aspects of life move to a virtual setting.
Refugee communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Many have employment in low-skill, low-wage industries or essential jobs that increase virus risk and lack of access to social safety nets during this crisis.
Digital literacy is critical to the refugee community as job opportunities, resources, and education move online. In response to the need for technical support, EMBARC launched the IT Navigator Program.
Training the Trainers
The IT Navigator Program trains community members, known as IT navigators, in digital literacy skills to assist refugees in the community with technical needs. The program consists of more than 23 navigators with various language skills and backgrounds. The IT Navigator Program implements a train-the-trainer approach to transfer knowledge and builds self-sufficiency.
The program features several IT mentors who manage and instruct the digital course. One of the IT mentors, Fueche Vang, leads the parent navigator group and Saturday learning class. The Saturday learning class is for navigators with less English and technical skills who seek to expand their knowledge in these areas. Students can get an in-depth understanding of the course material and practice with their peers in this class.
Course topics range from basic computer skills, internet use, Microsoft Office, career search skills, and more.
Vang ensures students have the necessary proficiency to become IT Navigators while monitoring and supporting their progress. Vang said some of the most memorable moments in the program are the excitement students feel when they get a concept they did not previously understand.
“I think [IT navigators] will be more empowered to act on their own rather than waiting on other people to help them and give them more freedom,” Vang said.
Learning Skills, Helping Others
One of the Saturday class students, Pray Meh, joined the program as a navigator to gain more technical experience and improve her English skills. She noted properly sending emails and video conferencing as some of the most challenging but important skills she learned from the program.
Meh also reflects on another reason she joined. “I was thinking about it and I felt comfortable enough to help my community. I’d love to help the people who really need it.” As a Karen refugee, she said most of her community had not used computers before. She mentioned that many refugees struggle with learning technology while also navigating their basic needs and integrating into a new community. Meh plans to apply her knowledge of the IT program’s concepts to school and assist those in her community, especially those interested in improving their English.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with English and computers to help my community step-by-step.”
Another Saturday class student and parent navigator, Jessie Lalneihpuii, joined the program to update her technical skills. “For me, coming from a different country and just being a stay-at-home mom, I feel like I cannot access a lot of information that I need to know.”
As a refugee from India, Jessie did not use a computer for eight years after arriving in the United States. She started using computers again this year and noticed the constant changes in operating systems and software. “I used to use Microsoft Word, Excel. I know how to use it because I learned it from India. But then, I did not use it for eight years, so I was kind of lost again. Now when I get back to computers, everything is updating.”
Jessie aspires to help community members with the knowledge and skills she learns from the program, as many of them have little to no prior experience with technology. She mentioned refugees are often hesitant to ask for help with technology because of additional challenges such as work and literacy and language barriers. “Most parents are working, and they don’t want to give time to learn. They’re busy, they have kids, they work, and they go home and spend extra time to learn again. That’s very hard for them.”
Providing 21st Century Workforce Skills
The IT Navigator Program aims to improve refugees' workforce skills. As low-income, essential employees from minority groups, many are devastated by COVID personally and professionally. The digital literacy training and access to technology will provide opportunities for community members to implement these skills into their work virtually and develop skills valuable in the wider employment landscape. “It will help them look for a job, for their school work, or even for a simple thing,” Jessie said.
Thank You
Thank you to the IT mentors, RISE AmeriCorps teaching assistants, and volunteers for this program:
Za Aung
Merrie Awm
Steffi Lee
Destiny Luong
Mu Paw
Fueche Vang
Please consider supporting the IT Navigator program and other EMBARC programs that empower refugees to educate themselves and others in their communities.