Opening a Rise Resource Center at Bali Sana Village was the first self-assured step of RISE foundation in the sphere of digital empowerment of underserved community of Gujarat. Village Balisana of Prantij Taluka of Sabarkantha District in Gujarat with the population of 6000 people was selected on the basis of certain criteria as a representative community for the pilot project. A comprehensive survey was carried out covering every individual of the village to understand the social dynamics as wells as requirements of the population of all sections especially below poverty line strata of the society.

On the basis of conclusions drawn from the analysis of the pilot survey conducted in this village, RISE Foundation set up a Resource Center to provide uninterrupted access to the resources of knowledge and information to the people of the underserved society of the village that enhanced productivity and employability of its members. This very first experiment of RISE was quite successful on the parameters set by our Chairman Shri Ravi Saxena.

Following activities were carried out at our Balisana RISE Resource Center:

Digital Literacy
RISE set up a computer laboratory at this center and conducted computer training programmes for different TGs given as under:

  • Computer Class for Men (Mostly middle-aged and old)
  • Computer Class for Women (Housewives)
  • Computer Class for Youth (College-going students)

Basic computer skills were imparted i.e.MS Office, e-mailing and Internet surfing in the basic computer Course adopted from the Easy Steps program developed by Intel. The classes were conducted 6 days a week for 1 hour every day. The course duration was of 2 months. The RISE trainers were given 6-8 hours of training by Intel instructor before delivering the sessions at RISE Resource center.

Sensitizing communities about Internet as a Knowledge Tool
To sensitize the local community about internet as a knowledge tool, the center co-ordinator visited 3 underserved families every day and informed them about the center, its various activities and motivated them to experience it first-hand at the resource center. He spread awareness and promoted internet as a knowledge tool and how it could be used to meet their day-to-day information needs.

Motivational Talks for Self Improvement
As part of this activity, RISE arranged special lectures every month, on ‘Self-Improvement’ topics such as ‘Goal Setting’, ‘Time Management’, ‘Anger Management’, ‘Building Self Esteem’, ‘Confidence Building’, ‘Effective Communication’, ‘Etiquettes’, ‘Interview Skills’, ‘Stress Management’ etc. People were informed about the lectures well in advance to ensure optimum participation from the community.

The computer laboratories at RISE Resource Center also acted as a public library. Members from the underserved community were encouraged to use internet for their information and knowledge needs – reading newspapers, articles, and books online.

Digital Public Library
The computer laboratories at RISE Resource Center also acted as a public library. Members from the underserved community were encouraged to use internet for their information and knowledge needs – reading newspapers, articles, and books online.

Self Learning Groups
Self-Learning Groups were created and encouraged to fulfill the needs of students who wish to prepare and appear in various competitive exams. RISE initiated them to utilize the Resource Center for getting counseling support in planning their studies, query resolution, and accessing study material in the form of books, DVDs, journals and online information.

In August and September 2013, RISE Resource center provided counseling to 20 students who were preparing for Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) out of which 25% cleared the test and were awarded ‘RISE STAR’ certificate. Other members of self-learning groups from Bali Sana Village who were counseled at our center also cleared DYSO and SRP examinations. This format is different from that of a typical coaching institute, because self-learning platform gives them an opportunity for supplementing each other’s information and knowledge requirements to reach the optimal level required with the objective of seeking attainment of success in the competition examinations.

Information Desk
People from the community encouraged to visit RISE Resource Center, to seek information on any subject, whenever inputs were required before making a decision.
People visited the RISE Resource Center seeking information on a variety of subjects:

1. Results of Exams
2. Jobs in State Government – Lower level
3. Health
4. Agriculture – market rates
5. Livestock in insurance

Capacity-building programmes for financial growth
Following trainings programs were imparted by RISE Resource Center, based on survey conducted by RISE team in the village to find out their training needs.
Mobile Repairing
Computer Hardware
Driving

  • Mobile Repairing
  • Computer Hardware
  • Driving