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'Underserved' children weave stories for global contest

DNPUN21992 | 12/28/2009 | Author : Rajesh Rao | WC :478 | Education & Careers

To bring together the digitally divided technology-savvy and technology-challenged masses using the potential of Short Messaging Service (SMS), Stanford University School of Education and its offshoot, Seeds of Empowerment (India), conducted a joint research across Maharashtra with technology partner SMSONE from Pune. It organised a 'Global Story-Telling Competition' for underserved children, the winners of which were declared recently.
"After conducting the 'Global Story-Telling Competition' in Africa successfully, the joint research was carried out in Maharashtra with a mission to prepare children to be 21st-century ready and globally competitive," said regional director of Stanford Mobile Empowerment and Enterpreneurship Network in India, Anu Kulkarni.
Thirteen geographically, culturally and financially diverse communities across the state were selected and using SMSONE's extensive network, the contest was announced on November 4, through SMS technology. The children in the age group of 10 to 15 years were directed to send self-written stories on the topic of peace and harmony.
"After one week, from November 12, we added the factor of human interaction, wherein our community leaders were asked to approach local schools and communities," said chief coordinator of SMSONE, Ravi Ghate. He said that community leaders are local representatives, forming the SMSONE's extensive trained network, who collect cellph...

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