Survey Sakhi Milestone: 164 Households and Counting

DigiSam Foundation's Survey Sakhi project has reached an important milestone in Saidbhar village, Uttar Pradesh. Our dedicated volunteer, Renu Rani, has successfully completed data collection from 164 households—a testament to her commitment, patience, and the growing trust she's built within the community.

The Journey of Data Collection

Over the past several weeks, Renu Rani has been walking through the lanes of Saidbhar, knocking on doors, and sitting down with women to understand their relationship with digital technology. Each conversation, conducted in Hindi, has been an opportunity to not just collect data, but to listen—really listen—to the hopes, fears, and aspirations of rural women navigating an increasingly digital world.

Reaching 164 households is no small feat. It represents countless hours of patient conversation, careful documentation, and relationship-building. In a community where trust must be earned, Renu's approach has been personal and respectful, ensuring women feel comfortable sharing their experiences honestly.

Early Insights Emerging

While full analysis is still underway, preliminary findings are already challenging assumptions about the digital divide. The gap isn't primarily about infrastructure—internet access exists in most homes. Instead, the barrier is knowledge and confidence. Most women have the tools but lack the training to use them effectively.

What's particularly encouraging is the high willingness to learn that Renu has documented. When asked about participating in local digital literacy training, the overwhelming majority expressed interest. The desire is there; the opportunity has simply been missing.

Building an Evidence Base

This data collection effort isn't just about numbers—it's about understanding. Every survey response helps DigiSam Foundation design programs that actually address the real barriers women face. Rather than making assumptions, we're letting the community tell us what they need, what they fear, and what would help them most.

The Survey Sakhi approach transforms data collection into a community engagement exercise. As Renu asks questions about digital payments, telemedicine, AI awareness, and online government services, she's also introducing these concepts to women who may not have considered them before. Awareness itself becomes an intervention.

What's Next

As we complete data collection across Saidbhar, the next phase involves rigorous analysis to identify patterns and priorities. These insights will directly inform our program design—from digital payment training to telemedicine awareness to AI literacy initiatives. Every decision will be evidence-based, rooted in what the community has shared with us.

Celebrating Our Volunteer

None of this would be possible without Renu Rani's dedication. Day after day, she has shown up with patience, curiosity, and respect for the women she's surveying. Her ability to build rapport, ask thoughtful questions, and truly listen has made this data collection not just thorough, but meaningful.

The Survey Sakhi project demonstrates what's possible when communities are centered in research. By bringing data collection directly to women's doorsteps, conducted by someone they can trust, we're ensuring that the voices of rural women shape the digital literacy programs designed to serve them.

As we celebrate this milestone of 164 households surveyed, we're reminded that behind every data point is a woman with a story, a challenge, and a dream. This is just the beginning.