York woman helps India's children as a 'virtual granny'

Denise Wells, 65, has worked with the Granny Cloud project for the last three years which involves Skyping youngsters in India, reading them stories and chatting to them to help boost their grasp of English and digital skills.

The project is the brainchild of Professor Sugata Mitra, from the University of Newcastle, best-known for his hole-in-the-wall computer scheme which put basic PCs into some of the poorest parts of India.

He has been talking to children for years as part of the School in the Cloud scheme.

Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles have all signed up to help underprivileged children around the globe, not just in India; children are contacted in Greenland, Cambodia and Colombia.

Mrs Wells, from Murton, video messages groups of children when she is not working part time at B&Q, and will come face to face with them for the first time during a three-week trip to India.

She said: "It's my first time going out there and I'm nervous and excited.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting the children I work with.

"The main reason is to help them with their English and learn more about different cultures, but they are also learning about computers.

"It's all about conversing with them and helping them to learn."

Mrs Wells first got involved with the project three years ago after reading an article about the Granny Cloud's work.

She is travelling to India with her 17-year-old granddaughter, Ashley Myers, and the pair will visit research labs in Gocharan, Korakati, Chandrakona and Phaltan.

"We will meet the children I work with and Ashley will have the chance to learn more about the education system out there.

"I can't wait to meet the children I work with.

"One of the groups are aged between 13 and 14 at the moment and I won't be seeing them after this and will miss them terribly."

For more information visit https://grannycloud.wordpress.com