COMMUNITY SERVICE - our conclusion

From the personal experiences of the group, a member would definitely summarize that the community service. Lessons as an individual were discovered, thus, achieving the goals the group wants to bring into reality.

And as to rating the accomplishment, one question is asked. Did the group’s community service give solution to the problem? If yes, then to what extent?

First, let us identify once more, what the problem is. Given facts from Chapter II: Statement of the problem, the group is facing computer illiteracy. As students whose future industry is about technology, they are very much aware of the crisis that would soon affect their interests. Computer illiteracy was what the group is trying to diminish, well, maybe just lessen the victims.

If the computer is so powerful a resource that it can be programmed to simulate the instructional process, shouldn’t we be teaching our students mastery of this powerful intellectual tool? Is it enough that a student be the subject of computer administered instruction—the end user of a new technology?

Computer illiteracy is not caused by not being intelligent. For most reasons, computer illiteracy is triggered by poverty. Many poor families cannot afford their children to study to a prestige institution, or even just to buy a computer set. Without materials and sources, one would have the difficulty to learn, thus, making them illiterate. Based on statistics, 75% of unemployed adults have literacy difficulties when it comes to computer. 75% is still 75%. If we won’t do anything about that, maybe it would even reach 100%.

Having the community service whose program mainly implies on Basic Computer Applications, the group is on high hopes, that this will give solution to the problem.

Based from the feedbacks and the reactions of the participants, there is a 65% that the group had successfully gave solution. Though, 35% does not mean failure for the group. Out of 3395 presently, as of this writing, enrolled in Bayanan Elementary School (MAIN), only 36 students got the chance to be literate technologically-wise. Let’s say about 500 students in the school already had background in computers, that means, only about 536 students are knowledgeable in computers. How about the remaining?

Not to depress the efforts, there’s still the 65% that says that solution was given to the problem. Though the group would not be able to stop the fast-spreading computer illiteracy, there’s still the initiative to give a helping hand.

To the selected 4th and 5th graders, the problem had well given solutions. Their dilemma about the illiteracy regarding computers was solved. Now, these students are afraid to touch the computers no more. With enough information from the group and efforts from them, computer illiteracy vanished.

For further understanding on how the group’s proposed solutions gave help, the following statements would give support.

Students studying in Bayanan Elementary School (MAIN), does not have a subject that would satisfy the literacy needs vis-à-vis to computers. They need to have a background to computers as this would be their help in the future. As to the group’s solution, using the program, a workshop came to being. This workshop will cater to students who want to have a training to enhance the potentials within them

From this workshop, which was fruitfully started and ended, the hunger was satisfied. They left the workshop with more than just a piece of paper. This paper served as their guide while learning from the group. Not only that their tummies were filled with food, but their brains as well. They earned intellect. They even were aspired by the inspiration we are gladly showing them.

So aside from the fact that computer illiteracy, in one way or another, was obstructed, one of the group’s awareness to children who does not want to make their lives useful got the elucidation it deserves. Getting the pupils to think about their future and make the group as their role model is a momentous occurrence for the group.

Solutions were transferred from thoughts into papers. And appropriate actions were given. Computer illiteracy lessened. Still, these are not enough. A massive workshop must be done to all students, especially to those in public schools to completely freeze computer illiteracy from spreading. Also, adults who are still illiterates, despite their age, should also be included.

In general, one may not completely stop a problem in a swish of the wind. But it can be stopped from further influencing others to not give themselves solutions.

Like the objective of National Service Training Program, this is: If the youth can not solve every problem of the country, then try not to be the problem. This way, the focus of the government concentrates more onto what is more important, like let’s say, instead of you being prioritized; the government would be giving solutions already to the global economic crisis.

The group could probably not do anything about computer illiteracy. It won’t solve the problem and would not cause the group to be the source of the problem. Yet, knowing that you could give solutions and help, it’s really a task for you know.

Don’t wait till someone asks you so. Take the initiative. Though it would not benefit you directly, but it would benefit your community, even country, that would eventually sky rocket it to success. And indirectly, you also get the benefits of your service. With the group’s solution, a problem was given answers and was partly covered.


**claiire**