| Eager To Be IT-Savvy In Their Golden Years |
|
By Melati Mohd Ariff
PETALING JAYA, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Some of the women in the classroom are in their golden years, two had even been teachers.
Today, they are back in school as students of a basic computer education programme. They have proven the age-old adage that it's never too late to learn.
The computer class is organised by the National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO) and made possible with a grant from Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
For most people, computers are mundane now as information communication technology (ICT) is an indispensable part of our lives but for the older generation, it's still something new and often seen as daunting.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
According to NCWO's secretary-general Datin Nursiah Sulaiman, the computer lessons were NCWO's effort to bridge the digital divide, especially among non-working women.
"The computer class that we are conducting is very basic but it's a good start to introduce these women to the computer," she told Bernama at the NCWO office here.
Nursiah who just turned 60 is no stranger to IT, as she was already using a computer during her last 10 years of service with the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, near here.
For trainers, the NCWO had sought the help of volunteers well-versed in IT.
Microsoft also provided NCWO a curriculum based on real world skills development. The curriculum covers manuals for the instructor and students. Each participant will be given a certificate once she has completed the programme.
The computer class covers the word processor, excel (spreadsheets), power point presentation, Internet surfing and using the e-mail.
A PROGRAMME FOR ALL
Project coordinator Sandra Simon said the computer education programme known as "Microsoft Unlimited Potentials" began last April and was open to under-privileged youngsters, single mothers and senior citizens.
"We limit each class to 10 people to allow the trainer to give personal attention to the students, especially the older women.
"The senior women, in particular, are very excited because not only they are learning something but at their own pace as nobody is pushing or forcing them through. We have one lady who is 78 years old and as her eyesight is not very good, she's using a magnifying glass to use the keyboard," revealed Sandra.
On the grant given by Microsoft, she said for the first year the amount was US$36,733, out of which US$23,200 was in the form of software.
To date, about 200 people have enrolled for the computer class, mostly young women from economically disadvantaged background, single mothers, senior citizens and youths from the estates.
For 2007, the target number is 800 with the classes to be conducted by NCWO's affiliates including in Penang, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.
"Anyone can attend this class. Those who are interested can call our office 03-79543008 or 019-2259527 to find out more about the programme," said Sandra.
LONGING TURNS TO REALITY
For Shirley Nathan, 69, Patricia Doraisamy, 70, Sivam Selvaratnam, 69, and Shirley Siew, in her late 50's, attending the first computer lesson was "a dream come true".
All of them had their first computer lesson on Dec 8 and already were looking forward to the next one the following week where they were to be introduced to the world of Internet and e-mail.
"We wanted to learn how to use the computer but we didn't know where to start. We all have computers at home because our grown-up children use them but nobody has the patience and the time to teach us," lamented Shirley Nathan.
Shirley attended her first lesson with her grand-daughter, Deshika, 8, whom she said caught up faster than her.
She said learning how to use the computer would help her prepare material for her kindergarten and send e-mails to her loved ones.
Despite her age, Shirley, an ex-teacher, still keeps herself busy conducting pre-school classes for her friends' children and her own grandchildren.
MORE REASONS TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
As for Patricia Doraisamy, 70, she is eager to learn how to use the e-mail function so that she can be closer to her two daughters who are currently in the United States.
"Debbie is studying while Durga is working. At the moment, I keep in touch with my daughters by phone but it's very expensive," she lamented.
Patricia said the experience she underwent at the Canadian High Commission last year when applying for a visa prompted her to learn to use the computer.
"At the High Commission, I was given a form and asked to furnish all the information on the computer and then when Debbie was applying to go to the United States, all the forms had to be filled online. So I told myself this wouldn't do and I must learn how to use the computer," said Patricia, adding that Debbie had earlier given her a computer but she never made use of it.
Knowing how to use the computer is also useful to her in another way -- she can now assist her husband to surf the Internet to look for material for his books and writings.
Sivam, an art teacher, will be venturing further into the cyber world with her own website being created by her nephew's wife.
"What happened was that one day my daughter-in-law chanced upon one of my paintings in the Internet but there was no information on me. So I am going to have my own website and post all my paintings there, and hopefully, also to link mine with other websites.
"When I heard about this computer class organised by the NCWO, I jumped at the idea," said Sivam, who loves painting. Sivam and Patricia have been friends for over 40 years.
As for Shirley Siew, mastering the computer would enable her to manage her newfound interest in insurance dealings.
Shirley who retired from the National Registration Department, said learning to use the computer and eventually the Internet would help her access information on the insurance business and the insurance company that she is associated with.
"I will also be able to keep in touch with my friends, nieces and nephews in the US and UK when I learn how to use the e-mail," she added.
-- BERNAMA
|
|
|