A great opportunity

Mrs. Sheetal Dhiman, a talented musician and singer, first joined Learning Space as a volunteer in 2013. She soon left her city job in Mumbai in order to work for LSF full-time.

       Sheetal is the head of the Dream Center, an extension of Learning Space Foundation that village women and children can attend. Dream Center was a partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Sealand in order to help LSF expand. Dream Center provides many of the same programs that Learning Space does; including the English e-Teach program, Warli tribal art programs, computer skills programs, and a summer camp for children. They also provide career services and offer seminars at nearby colleges. All programs are provided free of cost.

       Dream Center works with both village children and women, and allows the women of the village to gain computer skills in a four month program. This program began when the mother of a child who was attending computer classes at the Dream Center asked if she could participate as well. Sheetal quickly recognised the interest many village women had in learning a new skill and decided to create a short program where women of the village can learn basic computer skills in the computer lab and earn a certificate of computer literacy. After completion, ex-students can practice their skills on the computers during class times, subject to availability.

       Through Dream Center, Sheetal also invites musicians, performers, and guest lecturers to the village. There is great benefit to all involved; the villagers are given a new experience, the children can practice their communication skills and performers have a chance to perform for a new and receptive audience. Sheetal has described Learning Space as “a great opportunity” in her life and says “we are still learning” — In this way, Learning Space helped Sheetal develop an appreciation for life-long learning.