Computers unite populations

Plan's Community Technology Learning Centre (CTLC) in Xi’an has received nearly 400 applications from migrant workers within its first month of opening.

Fifteen million country residents journey to China’s developed cities each year. The workers, which  are largely involved in the service sector and manual labour, face discrimination and exclusion by city residents.

City dwellers often view migrant labourers as inferior and only capable of certain work, which can create tension between the two groups.

CTLC is a joint project by Plan, the Microsoft Corporation, and the Poll Survey Centre of Social Sciences Academy of Shaanxi Province, which aims to increase social inclusion through fostering strong relationships between migrants, local community volunteers, and trainers.

Improving self-esteem
CTLC participant Ren Yonglian believes that the centre is helping to improve her self-esteem. “I felt inferior and wanted to attend CTLC to learn more… If you don’t know how to use a computer there are a lot of fun things you can’t do. You can’t use the internet to look for work either. I understand much more, it is better now,” said Ren.

The centre is currently in a trial period. The pilot class of 20 will help the trainer and volunteers ensure that the training fulfils the workers’ needs.

The first classes are focusing on basic computer and internet skills and will be followed by career guidance and health issues, including AIDS and infectious disease prevention.

The class topics were chosen following the results of a student survey.