The story of the “Auntie Hackers” of Proteagailovca, or how a small digital center brings generations together and transforms a community

On these days, she starts her morning early to finish household chores and prepare for what she calls a “social outing.” At exactly 10 a.m., she puts on her best dress and heads to the village House of Culture. There, “Pixel” awaits her – a small digital literacy center that has changed her life.

“Pixel” is not just a room with computers. It is a bridge connecting generations – a space where children and young people explore programming and online safety, while seniors learn how to use modern technologies, schedule medical appointments, or pay their bills without spending hours in line.

“Now I can pay my bills online and no longer lose half a day at the post office. I’ve created social media accounts and can easily communicate with my grandchildren, wherever they are. I know how to avoid scams and even create documents in Word and Excel. I’ve also discovered audiobooks – a wonderful invention for older people,” Olga says with a broad smile.

What began as simple curiosity has become an essential part of her life. A former economist, Olga has always wanted to keep up with the times, and now that she lives alone, this desire has become even stronger. The courses at “Pixel” are not only a source of useful knowledge, but also an opportunity to socialize, keep her mind active, and stay connected to the modern world. “I’ve made friends here. We even have a team of ‘auntie hackers’. We’ve grown very close and managed to attract other villagers who were initially skeptical,” she adds.

Behind this transformation is Elena Savelieva, the founder of the center and a refugee from Ukraine. A film director by profession, Elena worked for several years in Odesa, Ukraine. Together with her three children, she fled the war and settled in Proteagailovca, the home village of her husband’s parents. With no source of income, Elena spent a long time thinking about what kind of activity she could start that would provide a stable livelihood for her family, while also “giving back” to the community that had welcomed her.

While caring for a relative with reduced mobility, Elena realized how important technology can be as a “window to social interaction”. As she explored the local context, she quickly noticed a significant digital divide in the village. “Eighty-five percent of students had only basic knowledge, and older people felt completely excluded from the world of technology. There was no place where they could learn these skills,” she recalls.

“Now I can pay my bills online and no longer lose half a day at the post office. I’ve created social media accounts and can easily communicate with my grandchildren, wherever they are. I know how to avoid scams and even create documents in Word and Excel. I’ve also discovered audiobooks – a wonderful invention for older people.”

Olga, a 63-year-old resident of the village of Proteagailovca

This is how the idea of a social enterprise was born: a digital literacy center that would offer paid services, using the revenue generated to provide free courses for those who need digital skills but have limited means. Elena also planned to involve around four volunteers – students from nearby localities – in the center’s activities.

At first, the idea seemed impossible to implement: there were no computers, no resources, and no infrastructure. Everything changed when “Pixel” received financial support from Sweden, the United Kingdom, and France, through the UNDP project “Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade” (AdTrade).

The support meant more than just funding. With these resources, Elena purchased four modern laptops, a gaming console, VR headsets, and gamepads, which became standout features of the center’s interactive room. She also invested in promotion, creating flyers and posters that attracted people from the village and nearby communities to “Pixel”.

Elena participated in seminars and took part in a study visit to Athens, where she explored European models of social enterprises and brought back new ideas. “For me, this support was more than funding – it was validation of my idea. This center is not a business in the traditional sense, but rather an initiative meant to help people, to support their integration and socialization. I had dreamed of this center for two years, but without this project’s support, I could not have made it happen. We also benefit from business mentorship provided by the Association of Social Entrepreneurs from the left bank of the Nistru River, which is extremely valuable for us,” Elena says.

Today, “Pixel” is a vibrant space. In the mornings, two groups of four pensioners attend four-week courses, and the waiting list continues to grow. “Here we teach older participants how to avoid and protect themselves from online scams – especially after several villagers fell victim to them – how to distinguish misinformation from reality, and what artificial intelligence means,” explains the founder.

For Olga and her friends, the “auntie hackers”, every Monday and Friday now feels like a celebration. “I feel like a student again,” Olga jokes as she prepares for her final test and the certificate that will attest to her digital skills. At 63, she no longer views technology with fear, but with enthusiasm.

In the afternoon, the center transforms into a digital lab for children and teenagers, who build their own games or create presentations. “What inspires me most is the joy in children’s eyes when they create their first character, or the happiness of adults when they overcome their fear of technology. These small victories truly change lives,” Elena says.

The impact, however, goes far beyond the classroom. Parents feel more at ease knowing their children are navigating the internet safely, older people feel part of modern society, and young volunteers discover the meaning of civic engagement. In a village of around 2,500 residents, “Pixel” has become a symbol of change.

“Now we have a center that brings generations together. And this is only the beginning. Next, we want to bring technology into schools and explore together with students how artificial intelligence can be better utilized,” concludes Elena Savelieva.