Worldwide Volunteer Week Feel Good
Wrap stories about volunteer projects are still trickling in. Here is one to share from Margie Easter:
On 4/30/08, a team of Sun employees participated in a Worldwide Volunteer Week activity, "Sun Computer Tutors for Senior Citizens."
The team selected this activity because it was an opportunity to reach out to a community that is rather forgotten, and deeply impacted by the "digital divide." The agenda for the afternoon included a tour of the Lytton Gardens campus facilities, meeting and tutoring the residents in break-out teams (based upon level of knowledge), and then an ice cream social (turtle sundaes for all - mmmmmm!)
We were immediately touched by the genuine appreciation that the seniors expressed. Not even half way through the tutorial session, they all asked, "When are you coming back to teach us more?" Many of them are isolated from their families when it comes to online
communications. They want to know how to do very simple things that we take for granted, such as receive and send email, and browse and search the Web. It's all very new to many of them. But when you think about it, why wouldn't it be? Most are 80+ years old. The Internet era has practically left them in the dust. But the good news is that this is such a great time for them to begin using Internet technologies. It's easier than it's ever been....but we all found that it's still not easy enough. Even teaching them how to use a mouse, what the cursor is, clicking and double-clicking caused fingers to fumble and eyes to glaze over. Not to mention that some have physical mobility issues which impact the learning experience and increase frustration levels when trying to use tools such as the laptop keypad mouse.
But we did it! We achieved a good level of success and satisfaction with each person we touched. They just loved it, and so did we. This was a delightful and gratifying experience that none will forget. All were in agreement that we will return soon to follow up with more training, which is in the works. This is a day in my life that I will reflect on and think, "Now that was a great day!"
We get so busy in our everyday lives that we forget about the other great people and activities that are out there, just waiting for someone to care. Something for all of us to think about.
