Have you ever missed a job opportunity because you weren’t digitally literate?
Have you ever lost a chance simply because you couldn’t use basic digital tools?
Or maybe you know someone who lost their job because they were digitally illiterate?
Today, digital literacy is no longer optional. It’s the basic ability to use a phone or computer to communicate, find information, work online, and navigate the digital world. Without it, many doors can close without you even realizing it.
This is exactly what happened to Miriam, a 33-year-old single mother of two living in Douala, Cameroon. She decided to share her story, hoping it would inspire someone out there.
«Hi, my name is Miriam. I used to work as a receptionist at a small company here in Douala. I wasn’t highly educated, but I was reliable, respectful, and everyone trusted me. I thought I was doing okay. Then one day, everything changed. My company has upgraded to email, online forms, digital reports, cloud storage, and many more features. In fact, all the tasks I used to do manually had to be done on a computer. I struggled. I didn’t know how to create or save a document on a computer, navigate folders, or send a proper email, not to talk of browsing the internet properly. All I knew how to do with my Android phone was Facebook.
This change in the company made me feel like I was back at square one. I tried to keep up, but I couldn’t hide how scared I felt. One Friday, my manager called me to her office. She said gently, “We need someone who is more digitally confident. Someone who can handle our online presence,” and blablabla… Since I couldn’t do it, I lost my job. Guys, that was how life became very difficult for me and my children. I didn’t know how I would buy food, pay rent, or even cover the small things that kept us going. Every day felt heavier than the last. So with the little money I was able to save, I had to start selling small things like tomatoes, groundnuts, etc, in front of my house in order to get some money and feed my children. Even my landlord was not easy on me.
Months later, one evening, I was scrolling through Facebook as usual when I saw a post from Afritech Academy about free digital literacy courses. At first, I thought, “Free courses? Can I even do this?” I clicked the link in the post, and it took me to their website. I looked through the courses and decided to start with Microsoft Word.
That was the first step toward changing my life. The lessons were very well explained, and the English was so simple that even a class one child could understand. Thank you, Afritech Academy. I took the lessons slowly, sometimes going over the same lesson twice. I learned to type without fear, create and format documents, organize folders, write emails, and search online. Each lesson and course I took made me feel a little stronger and more confident. The most interesting part is that they gave me a certificate of completion after each course I completed.
After two months, I applied for a new job as a secretary in a secondary school here in Douala. This time, I was ready and determined, full of confidence, and thank God I got the job. Now, I can support my children, help them with schoolwork online, and even teach other women in my neighborhood the basics of digital skills. I’m so grateful to Afritech Academy for giving Africans the chance to study digital literacy skills for free. It truly changed my life.»
There are many “Miriams” out there, single parents, young people, and adults who dream of gaining the digital skills they need to succeed. Your support can help us reach more people like her by creating new digital literacy courses and opening doors to opportunities they might never have imagined. If you would like to help, you can donate easily, quickly, and securely using the link in the comments. Every contribution can make a real difference in someone’s life. Together, we can empower more Miriams and give them a chance to build a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.
How You Can Help
Every day, many people across Africa face the same challenges Miriam once faced.
With your support, we can help them gain the digital literacy skills they need to find jobs, support their families, and build a better future.
Your donation helps us:
- Create more free digital literacy courses
- Reach underserved communities
- Support learners who have no access to training
- Change real lives
No amount is too small; every contribution makes a difference.
Donate Now. Together, we can empower more Miriams and open doors to new opportunities.
