Interview with Digital Skills Instructor, Ina Avdaha
Conducted by Jessica Scadron, VP of Strategic Communications
How did you become interested in digital equity and inclusion work?
My parents live in Mexico. Before I came to the U.S. I worked with my dad who shared how hard it was for him and my mom to use WhatsApp, FaceTime and other technology.
When they went into COVID lockdown, I saw how they struggled to do things online even though they’re familiar with technology, have a laptop and a phone. They were frustrated and sad. I didn’t know how afraid and alone people could feel not being involved in the digital world, so I did my best to help them from the U.S. I taught them how to pay their bills. It was a privilege for me to help them understand and learn more about tech.
How did you become interested in digital equity and inclusion work?
My parents live in Mexico. Before I came to the U.S. I worked with my dad who shared how hard it was for him and my mom to use WhatsApp, FaceTime and other technology. When they went into COVID lockdown, I saw how they struggled to do things online even though they’re familiar with technology, have a laptop and a phone. They were frustrated and sad. I didn’t know how afraid and alone people could feel not being involved in the digital world, so I did my best to help them from the U.S. I taught them how to pay their bills. It was a privilege for me to help them understand and learn more about tech.
What made you decide to become a digital skills instructor?
I worked for nonprofit community centers in Mexico where I taught digital skills. At one location, I started a computer lab teaching basic digital skills to adults and children. When I moved to the U.S. I volunteered to teach digital skills. In 2020 while on lockdown, I was looking for a similar position and saw an opening with EveryoneOn. I didn’t know at the time there were organizations offering these kinds of trainings - I’d been teaching on my own for so long - so I applied. Before EveryoneOn, I wasn’t familiar with digital equity work as a field - I was doing it on my own. The EveryoneOn team taught me most of what I know about digital inclusion.
As an instructor, do you have any observations of the relationship between women and the digital divide?
90% of my students are women of color. They have at least one job, and take care of the children and their parents. Many don’t speak English. They sacrifice so their kids and husbands can study and have a career even if this means they’re left behind. There’s a world they’re not a part of and they don’t have access. They think they’re not smart enough, that tech is for kids in school or husbands who work. Once the women start learning, they feel empowered and feel like they can do things.
A lot of it is that they don’t have a lot of choice with the pandemic - everything went online super fast and there’s no other way they can do things now. I have students who have to apply for COVID relief and they don’t know how to send an email.
“They can’t help their kids with their online homework if they don’t know how to use tech. But many realize they have the ability, that there’s someone willing to give them a chance and help them. ”
Having that space where someone is willing to listen to their questions, have patience to explain, and give them a laptop so they can learn…that has never happened in their lives before.
What keeps you motivated to teach digital skills to under-resourced communities?
They’re the ones who truly need it. For them, learning digital skills makes a big difference and requires little resources. We don’t need a lot of money to provide them with a laptop, wifi and skills that will make a huge difference for them and generations after them.
What is one thing you want people to know about the digital divide that you see in your work as an instructor?
Learning basic digital skills changes someone’s life forever, especially for women. Women realize that with a laptop and wifi that they can go to college, get grants for Latino women, take dance classes online and learn English. Little by little they get excited. If they learn how to write an email, send an attachment, fill out a form - for them it could mean going to college or sending their kids to college. I see their faces light up when they realize all the opportunities available to them.