Two IRC Clients Receive Computers after Earning Computer Proficiency Certificates

Everyone in America, according to Bhim Khapangi, needs three things: a job, a car, and a computer. He and Domenic Dlamini are the first refugee clients to receive their certificates of computer proficiency in the IRC in Atlanta’s new computer literacy program. Both of them have earned their certificates and their refurbished computers by regularly attending classes, in which they have learned intermediate computer skills such as emailing and using Microsoft Word.





















(l to r): Instructors Suzanne, Wende and Becky with Domenic Dlamini
Photo by: Jessica Seales

After attending the eight week course and passing their certification exam, Bhim and Domenic are taking home computers loaded with Edubuntu, a free and open source operating system that includes over one hundred educational applications and Libre Office, an open source program compatible with Microsoft Office. Their families can use these apps to study English, computer skills, math, science, history, and many other subjects.  Both of them plan to use the applications to continue studying English and computer skills. Domenic will have his two-year-old son use Gcompris, a program that teaches computer skills, phonics, and math. Bhim was especially impressed with an application called Stellarium, in which you can map the night sky where you are for the current time of year. He knows his son, a student at Clarkston High School, will enjoy using this to study astronomy.

Their web browsers are also bookmarked with the HeART (Helping Atlanta Refugees Thrive) website, which lists links to many educational websites. They have already used the site in computer class to learn about Microsoft Word and Internet Browsers, and to study for their driver’s license exams and the GED.

With their new computers, Bhim and Domenic will continue to learn and practice the more advanced computer skills such as making spreadsheets and presentations, and using cloud applications such as Google Drive.  With the knowledge they have gained in the IRC in Atlanta’s computer class and the computers they have earned through their hard work, they now have the skills to obtain the other two essentials for life in America. And they now have the tools to teach themselves virtually anything.

For more information about the IRC in Atlanta’s computer literacy class, please contact Wende Crow at wende.crow@rescue.org.