GENIUNE joy and happiness were seen from the faces of 15 senior citizens, who joined the Smart “Milleniors” Program-Cebu Leg, as they accepted their certificates for finishing the training last Saturday, April 21.
The elderlies took part on the three-Saturday session of milleniors program at the Smart Communications Office in Mabolo, Cebu City.
Through the program, the participants can now get along with their grandchildren by using smartphones.
“Ganahan sad ko nga nakakat-on ko ani (I like that I learned from this training),” said 73-year-old participant Eleuteria Bacalan, who is now able to operate smartphones through the help of her volunteer partner, Leah Diabo.
Diabo, 23, is an excellence awardee under Coalition for Better Education (CBE) just like all the other volunteers. They are called “volunteachers” who were tasked to teach the senior citizens on how to use smartphones.
“Nalipay gayud ko nga nakatabang... nalipay ko nga di nako ma-explain ang kalipay (I am happy that I was able to help... I could not even explain how happy I am),” said Diabo.
The volunteers have undergone training on how to handle the elderlies, headed by the EduStudio Director Dr. Mardy Verano.
The volunteers do not only teach the elderlies on how to type and read text messages and answer phone calls, but also they teach them how to use Wi-Fi, mobile data, and what to do on social media.
For just a short period, the elderlies and their volunteers created a unique bond, leaving them good memories to cherish forever.
Verano said that milleniors and millenials will always learn from each other.
Lawyer Maria Jane Paredes, head of Smart Public Affairs, said that they are planning and looking for a strategic way to conduct the activity.
She said that they intend to conduct the program to teachers and also to the clergy since they can influence the community through the social media.
The program, which piloted in Manila, is a program in cooperation with the Philippine Association of Retired Persons (PARP), CBE, and EduStudio.
PARP was founded by Amado Cabaero. It was organized on May 1, 1998 to “assist retirees and senior citizens in enjoying the benefits of their retirement and senior years.” (Katherine Gozalo and Shierlyn Balasag, Father Saturnino Urios University Interns/SunStar Philippines)