Building digital skills in our community

The wonderful women in my community gathered around our single laptop again, this time with even more excitement. After our first training, they returned eager to learn, share, and gain new skills in technology. Many had never imagined using technology beyond social media, yet here they were, ready to turn their smartphones and our shared laptop into tools for learning, earning, and creating change. With only four women per class because of limited resources, each session is a small but powerful step toward digital learning in our community.

The digital journey begins! I'm so proud and excited for these four women who are officially starting their digital literacy training. Get ready to unlock new skills and new opportunities!.

This project builds on the impact of my previous initiative: Level Up Screen Time, Empowering Women Through Internet Literacy, which helped young girls and women shift from passive scrolling to purposeful digital learning. When I realized that many people spend hours on their phones without clear goals, I decided to invite the women and girls in my community to learn how to use their smartphones in a more meaningful and effective way. Our program shows them how to use technology to learn, create, and grow—even with very limited internet access.

Over two months, participants learn to:

1. Use the internet safely
2. Handle mobile money and basic finance tools
3. Create content and tell their own stories
4. Access online learning and job opportunities
5. Learn basic computer skills on our shared laptop

We run weekly workshops at our association, use printed guides in local languages, and keep a peer support group on WhatsApp or Facebook. Storytelling circles help participants build confidence and use their new skills in real life.

Thanks to the training I received from World Pulse and the certificate I earned, I am now able to teach these skills to others in my community. The knowledge and confidence I gained from the program allow me to guide women and girls effectively, helping them discover new digital tools and opportunities. It is inspiring to see how the support I received has come full circle, enabling me to share what I’ve learned and make a real difference in the lives of others.

I am excited to devote my time to the women and girls in my community. I will be more than grateful if they benefit from the training, and I always strive to give them the best I can. Teaching digital literacy can be challenging, especially for women who are illiterate, but with love and determination, I know it is possible. I dedicate half of my Wednesdays to children and my Saturdays to young women and girls, making sure everyone gets the skills and guidance they need to grow. The role provides me a deeply rewarding experience and a significant sense of personal accomplishment. I'm more than motivated to continue this commitment because I genuinely love giving and serving others.

August 2025, The photo of the five of us women leaders selected for the Impact Lab!

Thanks to the honorarium I received from World Pulse when I was selected for the Impact Lab, I am able to dedicate my time, energy, and resources fully to these women and girls. Without this support, it would be much harder to organize workshops, provide printed guides, or even keep our single laptop running for multiple sessions. The funding allows me to focus completely on teaching and mentoring, rather than worrying about the limitations of our resources. It gives me hope and encouragement, showing that the work we do in a small rural community is valued and recognized globally. I will continue these programs, reach more women, and gradually expand our efforts so that more girls and women can learn, grow, and gain the skills they need to participate in the digital world. Truly, without the honorarium from World Pulse, this journey would be much more difficult, and I could not bring the same level of structure, motivation, and impact to my community. Their support turns a small dream into a real, actionable pathway for change.

What inspires me most are their smiles and determination. Even with very few resources, these women are proving that digital learning is possible with opportunity and courage. Each session reminds me that resilience and hope can thrive anywhere even around a single laptop in a small rural village.

Returning for our second training, these women gather around our single laptop, ready to learn, create, and grow together. Look at their smiling face which shows happiness to learn.

After seeing the changes in these workshops, I am more committed than ever to helping women and girls in rural Madagascar use technology to learn, earn, and connect. Sharing this story with the World Pulse community and the world allows us to connect, inspire, and grow together over the next year, proving that even small efforts can create big change.

My previous training room was very small, and as the number of members and students grew, I transformed my living room into a learning hub. I wanted to make sure no one felt left out and that everyone had a space to learn and grow

The first day of our digital literacy training was met with eager anticipation, and this photo captures the initial cohort arriving for their introductory presentation. This powerful group is largely comprised of women a compelling illustration of their growing interest in digital empowerment complemented by two dedicated male students. However, due to resource limitations, we are currently only able to conduct weekly sessions for four women at a time; the remaining students must patiently await their turn. If the association could secure just one additional laptop, we would immediately double our capacity, allowing us to teach eight women per session and accelerate this vital learning process. Though you can see two laptops on the table, they are currently non-functional.