Rural schools in Honduras need digital literacy, now more than ever, in a world where technology dominates almost every aspect of our daily lives.
One of the main challenges facing internet access in Honduras is the need for more infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 27% of the Honduran population has access to fixed broadband services, while mobile broadband penetration stands at 67%. This means that a significant portion of the population still relies on slow and unreliable dial-up connections or needs internet access. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where the lack of infrastructure is compounded by the fact that many communities are located in remote and difficult-to-reach locations.
However, there is renewed hope through strategic partnerships with tech companies such as Brainly, who partnered with Educate2Envision to launch a computer lab in the Choluteca, Southern Honduras region, which serves three communities and approximately 100 students. Brainly is the world’s largest social learning community that connects students and educators, allowing students to get help with homework and exams.
The $20,000 investment made by Brainly represents E2E’s first significant partnership with the tech sector. The funding has contributed to developing our first NIDO in Southern Honduras – a fully-equipped youth center and computer lab with new furniture, computers, software, and internet access. This lab will give students with the necessary digital literacy skills to help improve their academic performance and boost their employability as some choose to enter the labor market upon graduating.
Of the students participating in our digital literacy courses, 100% had never touched a computer before. The partnership between Brainly and Educate2Envision aims to combat the educational disparity between urban and rural areas and provide equal opportunities for students to gain critical digital literacy skills.
Since launching the Choluteca NIDO, E2E’s high school students have been able to attend virtual workshops led by Brainly volunteers on topics such as interpersonal relationships, resume building, and interview skills. Arriving three times a week from their communities, students brave the elements (Choluteca is one of the hottest regions in the country), many of whom must cross rivers to reach the NIDO. This sacrifice is a testament to their commitment to education and what it now means to have reliable access to computers and the internet, which once felt entirely out of reach.
Brainly and Educate2Envision have set a standard for philanthropy and investment between the tech and rural education sectors. This partnership will go a long way in improving the quality of education in the Choluteca region and making it possible for students to meet the ever-growing demand for technology skills.