I could not understand him speaking but he got me. Nonetheless, I spent ten days with him. During those days, we did many things together, like playing, joking around and learning together, which was a funny struggle as I could hardly understand him. Surya is one of the five sons of Dharma Raj Joshi, who is the principal of Bhawaneshwori Primary School. It was not a surprise that he studied in the same school. He was childish, naughty, talented, and super confident all at the same time. However, he was a brilliant student, both in terms of his studies and in using XO laptops. During our volunteering phase at Bhawaneshwori school, we had stayed at Dharma sir’s house. This was a time when I got a chance to know him in his vicinity; his nature, his studies, and his learning habits.

Surya is nine, studies in class four, and is the first boy among his fellow students. He has always been first since pre-primary. It had only been a week since his first encounter with the XO laptop, but his skill and cleverness helped him get the idea of using the tool very quickly. It was natural for students to grasp the knowledge at their own pace; some were able to get it soon, and for others, it took some time. In addition to being good at using his new educational tool, Surya was also equally motivated towards extracurricular activities, such as music, games, etc. In my observation, other students were quite passive in comparison to his activeness and interest in learning new things.

Teachers had not yet taught students how to use E-Pustakalaya. Like other students, Surya also was not much aware of it. We volunteers traveled to another school after spending ten days at Surya’s house. On our return, we were stunned to see Surya excitedly and skillfully using the digital library. This boy was actually very smart and grasped things very quickly. He was very good at playing audio and video, opening and zooming books, downloading and reading, and using activities like recording, music, games, and many other contents of E-Pustakalaya. Seeing his enthusiasm and his learning habits, I can say that he can learn new ideas from regular computers as well. These types of students are rare in Bajhang.

His father plans to send Surya to Attariya after the completion of his grade four. It gave Surya great pleasure to know that his eldest brother living in Attariya owns a laptop. There, Surya will learn all the basic knowledge about computers and their benefits. Surya’s father also plans to buy him a personal laptop so that his children know basic knowledge about computers. If his father is able to fulfill this dream, Surya will definitely upgrade his knowledge from mini educational laptops to big laptops. His father’s main goal for him is to continue exploring laptops even after passing out from grade five. Surya’s father really wishes his son could continue his further studies in an equally good school where he can get extra knowledge about computers.

Surya had never seen a laptop or computer before. He had only used simple mobile devices since his family owns a mobile gallery in Attariya. His first experience with computers is with the XO. Now, within a very small period of time, he and his family broadened their perspective about study and lifestyle. They began to feel that a computer is essential in today’s life. “With the help of a computer, Surya will be a successful person in the future,” his father expressed his happiness.