Last summer changed my life.

After raising $1,000 and partnering with SIDART NGO, I traveled to rural India to teach digital literacy to extremely underprivileged students who had almost no exposure to technology. What began as a simple class turned into something far more profound than I expected.

In just two weeks I taught 65 students across three rural schools and saw them transform from complete newcomers to confident explorers of technology. We began with the simplest steps: moving a mouse, opening a browser, typing a single letter. By the end they were crafting presentations, writing stories in Google Docs, searching the internet for answers, and even experimenting with ChatGPT. Their rapid progress was mirrored by the delight on their faces. I could not shake the thought that this growth was possible only because the program reached them; without it, their talent would have remained hidden, locked away by circumstance instead of released by opportunity.

Even though I am back home, I meet with the students online every other week. Each session begins with their faces lighting up on the screen, and their excitement pulls me right back into that classroom. Students who once had no idea what email was now send me detailed projects, ask thoughtful questions, and describe the futures they hope to build.

Seeing their spark in interaction, and knowing countless other children still wait for the same chance, has led me to the conclusion that I cannot stop here.

This year I plan to mentor five new teachers and partner with two more schools so we can reach at least 150 more students. I will continue the online sessions and guide local instructors through lesson plans, troubleshooting and adapting content to each classroom. We will build on the basics and introduce new topics so every student moves from simple navigation to creating, collaborating and solving problems with digital tools.

To make this expansion possible, we aim to raise $2,000. Those funds will pay for additional laptops or tablets so every classroom can offer hands-on practice. They will cover internet installation and initial connectivity at the new sites so lessons run without interruption. They will provide printed guides and worksheets so students and teachers always have clear references. They will include modest reimbursements for local instructors so they can attend training without personal expense. They will set aside a small buffer for maintenance and replacement parts so equipment remains usable. They will cover modest data or phone credit costs for virtual check-ins. Each element is essential to ensure new students gain lasting skills rather than only a one-time experience.

I have witnessed what happens when students gain deep understanding in days: they stay after school to practice, they share new ideas with peers and they imagine paths that once seemed out of reach. Expanding this program will bring that opportunity to many more children who lack basic access. Your support will directly equip classrooms, train teachers and sustain these students’ growth long after this year’s sessions end. Thank you for reading and for believing in what we are building. If you have questions about how funds will be tracked or reported or suggestions for partnerships, please let me know.