In 2009, ST Agrate and Castelletto volunteers started deploying the DU course at Bollate prison, in Italy, in cooperation with Sesta Opera San Fedele, an NGO active in assisting prisoners in Milan. The pilot course took place on Saturdays throughout the summer, and has involved  a great deal of preparation. Indeed, volunteers have participated to a seminar on how to approach activities in jail, reviewed the course content to fit requirements (specifically concerning the use of internet, which is forbidden in the prison), organized the access to the prison and set up a training calendar, in addition with hardware and training room setup.
Here are some feedbacks they provided:

• I had the impression that they want to learn!
• I felt a strong sense of gratitude.
• During a lesson a student started to tell me about his personal problems; it was difficult for me to manage the situation, I believe that they need to communicate.
• I realized that they appreciate our course and also our efforts in deploying it.

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I make a point of expressing my gratitude for the training which you organized in collaboration with the training department of the Moroccan Ministry of Interior. In my opinion, the practical approach adopted for this training session, as well as the dynamism and the pragmatism of the ST trainers has made the results tangible and the improvement very clear (…)

Youssef
Professional trainer at the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, after attending an ICBF session on how to become a DU trainer
Rabat, April 2009

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Watch Digital Unify: a video testimony

This film segment has been developed by a young DU beneficiary, Adel Elbouzagaoui, at the Azrou Center for local community services, Al Akhawayn University, Morocco.

It gives a touching image on how computer literacy changed the life of people in the small town of Azrou in the heart of the Middle Atlas region in the country's hinterland.

 

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"It is 1600hrs on the 19th May 2008 and I'm sitting at my desk in office. I am preoccupied with work and among a dozen things running in my mind, at the moment Digital Unify tops the charts. Yes, today is the D Day. I am taking my first Digital Unify class (…)"

Read more on the inspiring testimony by Deepika, ST India voluntary trainer

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"Chumree-uhp soo-uh (Hello in Cambodian Language!) (…)"

Chhavi, ST ICBF voluntary trainer, shares her experience with ICB trainers-to-be in Phnom Penh: read more about it here

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"The ICB course helped me to overcome my adversity towards the PC and awoke my curiosity for use and application of different programs."

DU Trainee, asked over whether he believed participating to DU had been overall a positive experience.
ST Castelletto site, Italy, December 2007

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"As I started getting involved with DU, relatives, friends (and some colleagues, too) have all been asking the same question: -Why? -

I am not able to find one single answer to this query, I personally feel the burden of being part of a privileged group, both because I was born at a time of strong technologic development and because I was given the chance to study.

This inspires me to share knowledge with others. Circulating culture is a big responsibility, and yet it is a rewarding experience. In my (not yet many) adventures as a teacher I have been especially struck by one thing: I have learnt more than I have taught.."

Ramona
STMicroelectronics CAD Application Engineer
Digital Unify Volunteer