Students participate in the "Cultural Connections" project with City School in Michigan (US). Photo by Yaroslav Ovcharenko

Around two years ago, 11 Educational Internet Centers opened in schools in the Ferghana region. The program gives students, teachers and community members great opportunities for modern education, personal and professional growth through national and international internet projects, and distance learning courses, among other things. The program shows some amazing facts about how the Internet changes peoples’ lives and futures.

The program, called "Global Connections and Exchange - Uzbekistan", is supported by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Under the program, school students interact online and exchange information about other cultures, people and lifestyles. Many students, including those studying in rural schools, have pen-pals and take part in Internet projects and programs.For instance, a group of students from a rural Tashlak school in Ferghana is involved in a "Cultural Connections" project with students of City School in Michigan, USA. Bobur Juraev, a project participant, says, "Every month we discuss the similarities and differences between the US and Uzbekistan. We post information and photos of our school and hometown. We describe family traditions and ask questions about everyday life online. Every day we learn something new about teenagers in another country such as their life, interests and dreams. Along with thatwe make new friends as well!"

Many people use websites for personal and professional development. Sevara Zieviddinova, a school student, said, "I develop my logics, creativity or management abilities in the assignments of educational websites." Many of them look for a place to work or study abroad. Some of them look for partners in business or resources to improve their company production. Nadejda Rakhmanova, a dressmaker, stated, "I often use the Internet not only for personal communication but also for my business. I have found new fashion styles, modern cuts for new dresses, and business partners in Russia." As a result, she has more customers and makes good money.

Of course, using the Internet completely depends on personal aims. Conducting his trainings on the Internet, Suleiman Asanov, a School Internet Center administrator,  always reminds his visitors: "Avoid ruining your brain and life on pornography, Internet viruses and other poisoning information. Don’t look for easy ways to make money. That is the wrong way."

Educational Internet Center in a school in Tashlak village, Ferghana. Photo by Yaroslav Ovcharenko

Aziza Ziyaeva belongs to very traditional rural Uzbek family in Ferghana. She has to stay at home after school andlearn how to cook and embroider for future marriages, according to eastern tradition. She started working with computers and the Internet at a school center, and passed some seminars on Internet technologies and web-design. Aziza is now active in projects like "Cultural Diversity", "Cyber Fair" and has even constructed her personal website. She spends hours in the Internet center. When Aziza’s parents learned about their daughter’s hobby, they prohibited her from working with computers. In spite of that, Aziza invited her parents to the Internet center. There she demonstrated her achievements. They were proud of their daughter’s accomplishments and she was allowed to continue.

In addition, Aziza’s mother and four of her neighbors have started visiting the Internet center. Aziza is teaching them how to work with computers and e-mail in order to communicate with relatives and friends abroad.

A computer teacher at Aziza’s school, Sitora Khamidova, noticed, "I have seen the great positive changes after learning about the Internet.

Aziza has become more self-confident, she can easily find any information for her classes and she makes online friends in other countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia and Ghana. More than that, she helps other people to "open" the Internet in their lives and change themselves."

The Internet is also a helpful tool for lonely people. Erkins’ father left the family and didn’t visit his son after that. Erkin left school and home, joined new friends who didn’t study, drank vodka and smoked marijuana. He was ready for burglary when his mother came to his school’s Internet center. Erkins’ mother said, "It had been three months since I had seen my son. He was absolutely different. He didn’t meet his “bad” friends anymore, came back to school and has become one of the most active volunteers in the Internet center. I am happy to see my son with me."

Erkin helps out by providing information to visitors, and works with e-mail and Internet research. He indicated that computers and the Internet "saved” him when he didn’t know how to live. Now, he is studying network administration and wants to become an Internet Center Administrator.

Is online work effective and necessary or sad and destructive? Sergey Makarov, a university student, shared his opinion: “The Internet is just a powerful tool for us. The way we use it makes it good or bad. I suppose that Internet is the most fantastic thing ever invented by people. It helps people find their own way of life and makes dreams come true. These days, we can’t imagine our life without Internet services such as fast mail and chat exchanging. Just have positive goals."