Migrant workers learn computer skills in classes by non-profit group

Bangladeshi Anowar Mirdha was a year away from receiving his bachelor's degree, but frequent floods in his home country and the lack of time made him drop out of the course.

- Gabrielle Chan

Mr Mirdha has been working in Singapore as a lorry driver since 2014, and has tried to return to his home town of Manikganj to take the final papers to get his degree.

However, floods kept causing his exam dates to be postponed, and he did not have enough leave to stay on in Bangladesh.

Recounting his school life, Mr Mirdha, who has a Bangladeshi qualification equivalent to the Alevel certificate, said he did well in mathematics and economics.

So, in 2024, he jumped at the chance to take up a computer basics course offered by non-profit organisation The Colours Foundation and learn things such as creating PowerPoint slides.

Along with 14 other migrant workers, Mr Mirdha attends a twohour class on Sundays, his only day off in the week. The course lasts six weeks.

"I came to Singapore to earn money for my wife and my parents, but I am also here to learn more," he told The Straits Times at the new Colours Friendship Centre, which opened in June, in Sembawang.

The space is part of the newly opened Sembawang Recreation Centre, the first of nine centres that provide dedicated spaces for non-governmental organisations serving migrant workers. It opened in April.

More than 40 migrant workers from India and Bangladesh have picked up basic computer skills and found friendship from the classes since they started in June.