Azmat (16) is inspiring her peers to get involved in coding! Vasu, Programme Coordinator for Code Club India,  met with Azmat virtually to learn about her coding journey; her participation in Coolest Projects; and how,  as she gets older, computing features in her life. 

Meet Azmat!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Azmat, I am 16 years old and I live in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, in India. I have been going to the Pi Jam Code Club which is held in my local school for 1.5 years.

What skills have you gained from attending Code Club? 

All our [Code Club] sessions start with a problem statement, and we use a problem-solving approach and then [we] use computers to solve it.

Now for any problem that comes to me, I do not directly jump to any solutions. I sketch [and] imagine a lot before creating anything.

What’s your favourite Code Club project and why?

I love the Scratch project Flappy parrot. It reminds me of simpler times, and all the kids in my area really enjoyed it when I made it. 

Tell us a Code Club memory (big or small) that you’re proud of?

When my project [Covid Helpline website] was selected for Coolest Projects, it definitely has to be that. 

My life kind of took a turn after that. I was called to the Red FM 93.5 office [a local Indian radio channel] for an interview! I cherish that memory a lot. It was my first time ever representing myself on such a big platform. 

Since the radio office was in Srinagar and I live in Sopore, it was also not easy to convince my parents to let me go for an interview,  but as luck would have it, I convinced them!  

How has coding and learning about computers benefited your life?

Learning about computers and computer programming has helped me to think creatively. 

When my project [Covid Helpline website] was selected in Coolest Projects, I got a lot of opportunities to share my experiences on various platforms, which boosted my confidence. 

Girls in younger grades in my school now look up to me and they also want to join Pi Jam classes!

Can you share why you decide to take part in Coolest Projects? 

I created a lot of projects with my friends and I was excited to know that I would get a chance to submit my creation with so many [other] students across so many different countries. 

What inspired your 2021 Coolest Projects idea? 

There were lots of people around my community suffering, facing the problem of not finding [COVID-19] accurate information, details about the right hospital, and the availability of different services. I wanted to help them, and decided to create a website.

How did you feel seeing your project featured in the Coolest Projects online showcase? 

I was so happy as I was one of many students from India who got a chance to share their experience online with so many people from across the world!

What are you looking forward to most about Coolest Projects Global 2022? 

I have already started preparing for Coolest Projects Global 2022, as I started around this time last year as well. I am focussing on my problem statement and I am excited to see how my project shapes up.

If someone was thinking about taking part in Coolest Projects Global, what would you say to them? 

It’s a wonderful opportunity, do not miss the chance!

Our last question! Looking to the future, how do you see computing featuring in your life? 

Inspiring more girls in my community to learn [about] computer science!

Azmat attends a Code Club run by the Pi Jam Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to equip children and educators in India with access to affordable technology and computer science education that fosters essential skills like problem-solving and design thinking. 

Be like Azmat and get involved with this year’s global online showcase.

Wherever you are in the world, invite your Code Club members to get creative and take part in Coolest Projects Global 2022!