Over the last couple of years, the Global Shapers Munich Hub have been working on several projects to create inclusive communities. One such project is the "Computerklasse", which has been helping to reskill and deliver basic needs to support the refugee communities.

According to Simon Heine, "The project's main goal has been to support refugees using computers and common software." He shares more light on the project, the challenges faced, and the impact on the refugee community in Bayern.

WHAT IS THE COMPUTERKLASSE PROJECT ABOUT?

It is a project through which we support refugees with digital skills and resources. As part of the project scope, we match interested refugees with our group of voluntary mentors. In about five sessions, the mentees will be taught basic computer skills such as writing an email, using Microsoft Word and Excel, or setting up an online video conference.

WHAT DID YOU THINK THE RESULT WOULD BE?

We always believed that we would improve the education and integration of refugees in the Munich area through this project. And especially during the current situation, the newly acquired skills have been helpful for homeschooling activities, job searching, and communication with authorities. As we have seen, a basic set of IT skills can open doors and help build a living in Germany.

DID THE IMPACT HAPPEN AS EXPECTED?

From the start of the project until now, we have organized several batches of ComputerKlasse. We have had around 15 to 20 matches of mentees and mentors conducting at least five training sessions for computer skills for each set. I can say that the program has been very well received so far.

WHAT DID YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOY ABOUT THE PROJECT?

I joined the project at the beginning of 2021, where I directly got involved in the organization of the next batch. Working with fellow shapers on this project has been a lot of fun, and it's great to feel the energy everyone is putting into the project aiming for the vision behind it.

WHAT WAS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT ABOUT THE PROJECT?

During the lockdown phase, it was no longer possible for us to conduct teaching sessions on-site at refugee residences, and we recognized that many young refugees lacked computer hardware to participate in the homeschooling sessions. Hence, we had to develop a decentralized solution to cope with the situation. So we were able to find the needed collaboration to provide them with computers, introduced a mentee-mentor matching process and set up a side project with Lichterkette e.V. to guide refugees through the jungle of bureaucracy to apply for IT hardware aid.

WHAT WAS PARTICULARLY NOTABLE ABOUT THIS PROJECT OR A RECENT EVENT YOU ARE PROUD OF?

On the one hand, we are proud to close the Computer Procurement Aid side project on 31.07.2021 with over 100 successfully processed help requests. On the other hand, we are pleased about the feedback we receive from participants of ComputerKlasse, where our training led to job offers and new perspectives.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

We are always happy to welcome new mentors to join our volunteers.