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 In
these days of information technology, it's heart-warming to know that some young
Internet-savvy youths have not forgotten their elders who need a little help
with newfangled gadgets.
Some student volunteers, who call themselves SurfNet, based in Puchong, Selangor,
are taking time off once a week to help senior citizens to surf the Internet
during their leisure time, says SurfNet founder Raymond Tan, who is a former TAR
College student. |
“SurfNet is also the name of a newly-developed computer program which I
developed with a team of programmers,” says Tan, who is CEO of Dynamic Direction
Sdn Bhd, a software developer.
SurfNet volunteers are helping the National Council of Senior Citizens
Organizations Malaysia (Nascom) to set up computer software free-of-charge at
its various centers as well as provide guidance and training so that members can
be computer-savvy.
They will also help senior citizens who want to send e-mail messages to their
friends.
“We believe we can play a role in helping senior citizens learn new things.
While we're young, we want to contribute towards a caring society. We know that
one day, we will be old too and will need help,” says Tan.
SurfNet also plans to help other charitable organizations to set up computer
centers. It is also planning to raise funds for charity organizations through
the sale of SurfNet products.
The group is participating in the MCA Lifelong Learning Campaign, which
encourages people to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to meet
challenges. The seven areas of lifelong learning are education revitalization, a
caring society, moral building, living skills, increased competitiveness,
culture and arts, and national integration.
On March 26, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting will launch the campaign's
Caring Society program at the concourse of Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya.
Several non-governmental organizations will be participating in the launch.
Representatives of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom), Beautiful
Gate Homes for the Disabled, the Federal Territory Dyslexia Association, Rumah
Victory (a home for troubled youths) and Nascom, will be present to inform the
public of their roles and services.
The Federal Territory Dyslexia Association will be organizing a classroom act
involving six dyslexic children, a parent and a teacher as part of the
activities at the launch.
“We want to get the message across that dyslexic children look normal but have
learning disabilities. These children are usually misunderstood in class,” says
Cho Suet Sen, a committee member of the association.
Nasom will offer free assessment and screening of children who may have autism.
There will also be counseling and consultation sessions for concerned parents,
says committee member Alicia Hon.
Source: The Star
Author: Majorie Chiew
Date: March 21, 2005
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