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Programming is one of the most sought-after professional skills in the world. Beyond improving career prospects, learning programming helps young students develop top-notch critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Also, it fuels creativity and innovation in young minds.
The great thing about programming is that it helps students become a part of a global community.
But what happens when the pandemic forces schools to shut down, and children no longer have access to basic resources, like an internet connection and computers?
The Glaring Digital Divide
Digital inequity existed long before the novel pandemic brought the world to a standstill. But the growing dependence on digital technologies due to the pandemic has made the problem difficult to ignore.
Across the world, several countries, including Israel, advised educational institutions to adopt online learning practices. It seemed like a great leap that allowed students to learn at their pace and be more productive.
But what these countries failed to recognize is that significant fractions of students don’t have internet access at home. In Israel, for instance, nearly a million children live in poverty. Also, nearly a third of children in the country’s periphery don’t have an internet connection at home.
What’s particularly unfortunate is that Israel has emerged as one of the biggest hubs of tech startups in the world. The country’s programming community is always in high demand, particularly due to the massive tech talent shortage.
But when countless students don’t even have access to online classes, how is a country’s programming community expected to grow?
That’s where Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry stepped into the picture.
Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry’s Quest for Equal Opportunities
Eyal Edry, his younger brother Moshe Edree, and his older brother Refael aka Rafi Edry are the founders of the Ahinoam Association for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities.
The organization works with at-risk youth in Israel’s periphery to help them find their footing in society. From long-term mentoring to scholarship programs – the Edry brothers have launched several initiatives to help underprivileged students get access to equal educational and employment opportunities.
Having had the first-hand experience of dealing with financial hardships in childhood, Eyal Edry and his brothers understand the pain of missing out on opportunities due to a lack of resources.
So, when the pandemic jeopardized the future of more than 400,000 thousand students, it isn’t surprising that the Ahinoam Association swung into action. The founders approached government agencies for help, but that proved to be futile
That’s when Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry launched a fundraising campaign to provide computers to students in the Israeli periphery. They also invited businesses and citizens to donate used computers that could be repaired and provided to students.
The campaign was a resounding success that helped thousands of students join online classes and stay connected with their friends despite the hardships of the pandemic.
Impact on the Programming Community
The Ahinoam Association’s initiatives encourage more students from low-income households to pursue their dreams of earning a respectable degree and job offer. Also, it provides them with the right resources and guidance they need to hone new skills, such as software programming.
As more students continue to take a keen interest in programming languages, it’ll bring renewed hope for the community of coders and developers. Better still, it’ll help bridge the gap between the programming community and the tech industry.
The Onus Is on Us
The Ahinoam Association’s fundraising initiative is a remarkable example of the collective power of ordinary people. While government inaction will continue to exist, ordinary citizens can join hands to help the needy.
So, instead of waiting for government authorities to resolve problems, it’s up to the members of the programming community to take matters into their hands. They should reach out to students in every country, and try to understand their struggles.
Thereafter, they can work with welfare agencies and non-profit organizations to address those problems.
It’s just as important for successful entrepreneurs and other business professionals to support aspiring programmers with the right resources. From internet connectivity and computers to proper mentoring and study materials – students need a ton of resources before they’re ready to join the programming community.
Similarly, social welfare organizations should work with government agencies to secure funding and develop the infrastructure in rural and remote locations. It’ll ensure that access to online courses and study materials isn’t restricted to students in urban areas.
Final Takeaways
A thriving programming community is crucial for promoting technological advancement and innovation. While the COVID-19 pandemic created new learning challenges for aspiring programmers, the initiatives of Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry have helped students continue learning.
It’s time for more welfare agencies and ordinary citizens to step forward to bridge the digital divide and provide equal educational and employment opportunities to children from low-income families.
