:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/lanacionpy/YV2MXM5QOBDHJNZTONFKUGSDCU.jpg "La Nación / Tigo provides training to children and youth for the future")
As already discussed about the series of programs owned by telecommunications company Tigo, which is part of an education campaign that spans across the country, in an act of responsibility the company reaffirms its goal of continuing to build digital highways that connect people, improve lives and build communities.
This opportunity will explore two programs that are already running, such as Tigo Telecenters and the Programming and Robotics course, which are aimed at children and youth in particular, with the aim of training them in the field of technology.
Tigo Telecenters are air-conditioned rooms equipped with computers, furniture and internet connections across the country, which have been installed since 2011 and currently there are more than 185 across the nation, according to Mariana Flecha, Tigo’s manager of Communications and Corporate Responsibility. “We have indelible anecdotes from when we first came to communities across the country with these benefits, especially those further afield, such as Fuerte Olimpo in Alto Paraguay; It was a real party at public schools and colleges,” he recalls.
With this program, the digital literacy of children, youth and adults from various communities across the country is sought, and one of the most prominent initiatives carried out at the Telecenter is the “Programming and Robotics Club” for children and youth, where they themselves acquire “future skills,” said Arrow.
To better understand the importance of the program, the voice is given to the main protagonist, the users themselves, who, through the audiovisual materials created by the company, share their experiences and testimonies. “I love coming to the Telecentre because I learned to use computers, do everything related to programming and robotics, create stories, games and animations,” said Mauro, one of the users of the Telecenter at Villa Elisa. Thiago, another user, mentioned that he attends the telecentre because he likes all things technology. “All I’ve learned is to develop my skills for the future. I like it because it has to do with computing and because of technology.”
The instructor of one of the Tigo Telecentres, Diana Benítez, believes that education today must go hand in hand with technology and that it is something that will not stop. “Tigo Telecenter offers the opportunity to the entire community to use the Internet for free, so that they can expand their knowledge and be prepared to face new challenges, regardless of age or even if they have no prior knowledge of how to use technology. tools,” he commented. After making social commitments with the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel), since 2017 it was possible to grow in the number and coverage of Telecentres, initially the program was called Tigo en tu Comunidad, when 92 of them were installed in 17 state departments. “Over the years we have trained hundreds of teachers, children, and youth in the use of technology, in addition to providing them with digital tools that enable them to access new opportunities, specific educational content, whether for further study, training, and employment,” Arrow adds. .
What’s interesting about this program is that community workshops are also held at Tigo Telecenters, and just last year, for example, “Programming and Robotics Club” was held, an experience which, due to its resounding success, will be replicated again in 2022, continued the manager. Communication and Corporate Responsibility.
The aim of this course is to amplify the impact of the telecentre in every community, utilize tools to arouse the curiosity of children and youth, and thereby generate interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), considered a profession of the future. . The training was conducted in partnership with the Reeduca Paraguay organization, in coordination with Global Infancia and each Telecentre-recipient institution across the country. In principle, a teacher or instructor is trained in four modules; The STEAM methodology and Computational Thinking, Advanced Programming, Internet of Things and Robotics, each developed in 32 hours, to then form clubs with children and youth, which are closely monitored by the organization.
Helen and Alejo, participants of one of the clubs, also want to share their experiences in this field. “What motivated me to get involved in programming and robotics was to acquire new knowledge based on this new Telecentre program. You learn very quickly, it’s entertaining, and what you learn is very useful to you,” says Helen. Alejo stated: “It helps me think faster. With mental agility I feel that I can solve problems more quickly in my daily life, and it also allows us to take part in competitions and challenges that we did not know about before,” he explained.
Therefore, the company is proud to know that, through this program, more than 750 children and youth will learn to program in 2021, in addition to taking part in a competition where they have 10 finalist teams from several cities and points in our country, appointed a spokesperson. “This encourages us to continue programs like this, that through engaging activities such as video game programming, robotics and others, we promote the development of skills such as teamwork, resilience, problem solving, and prepare boys, girls and young people for their future. front”, concluded the manager. For those who are interested in knowing the testimonials of the beneficiaries, you can go to the site www.tigo.com.py/conocenos/responsabilidad-corporativa.
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