| Project Courage |
|
The Municipality of Paniqui, under the management of Mayor Dors Rivilla, is doing it again! In what other municipality in the country can we find young and elderly women alike, marginalized perhaps, but nevertheless gutsy enough to get together and face up to the challenge of modern communication technology? What motivates them to have courage is the hope that one day they will discover and use to the hilt and to their advantage, the wonders of modern technology. Computers are a common sight in schools and offices, in some homes, in commercial establishments, and internet cafes. And we know more or less the profile of the users of this modern communication tool. But upon seeing the interesting cluster of women at the Information Technology Office at the Municipal Hall during a course on the basic usage of computers and the internet, one could not help being amused at the enthusiasm shown on the faces of the women, who also happen to be single parents. Something seemed incongruous between the computers and their users. They were not the usual faces we would see in front of a cluster of computers. But they were there. Faces aglow, radiating hope that one day their life would change; a change to be triggered perhaps by a monotonous, meaningless tak-a-tak sound on the keyboard. I have my doubts that after the basic computer course, those women would click on the Word Program to write poetry, or on the Photoshop to create graphic arts. Chances are these women would communicate with their loved ones abroad to explore any possibility of easing their lives here at home. This is what one could see on the faces of these women as their fingers worked on the keyboard as if it were their priceless possession. Every tak-a-tak sound they heard meant they would take and take every opportunity that comes their way to improve their way of life. Sometimes the reason for our limited chances of being productive is our limited tool of communication. Kudos to Ms. Anna Varona-Rivilla for her YAKAP projects. With her laudable brainchild some doors are now open to these women which otherwise would have remained shut forever!
 |
