April 13, 2018
Partnering to change Filipinos’ future
By Jamaica Digo
It started in September 2017.
Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers held a program to introduce the Buddhist charity group to the employees of Accent Micro Technologies Inc. (AMTI), a technology solutions and systems provider company located in Pasig City. Little did the volunteers know that the simple program would lead to a meaningful partnership.
“Their president wanted really to help,” recalled volunteer Olga Vendivel. “Perhaps he was so touched by what Tzu Chi was doing so AMTI donated in cash and they also expressed their wish to share their skills and knowledge.”
On April 2, 2018, AMTI’s goodwill materialized into a free Computer Troubleshooting Course. For two weeks, AMTI deployed three of their personnel to conduct free lectures for 18 enrollees. The compressed curriculum taught the students basic computer skills and advanced networking. AMTI also set up computers and networking facility. With two students sharing one computer, everyone had equal chances to practice the theories they have learned.
“Their hands-on experience is important that’s why we provided them with computer units,” said AMTI’s program coordinator Cristina Mendoza.
For their last day of classes on April 13, trainer and AMTI employee James Burgos gave the students a final hands-on exam where they were tasked to “revive a dead computer.” According to Burgos, this is to let the students experience the reality of an I.T. personnel’s job.
Grouped into three, majority of the students passed.
“This was their training ground; they are equipped once they have finished this course,” added Burgos.
Grateful for AMTI’s support, Tzu Chi presented them with a certificate of appreciation on closing day.
Meanwhile, Tzu Chi will continue the training and assessment for two more weeks. This time, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will help the organization ensure that the students are competent to become certified computer troubleshooters.
Sarbien Jay Paga looks forward to learning more. When classes started, he had the faintest idea how computers work. A week later, he can disassemble and assemble computers, almost like a professional.
Asked about his diligence in learning, he answered “Tzu Chi did not ask for tuition fees. They also provided us with transportation allowance. They even build our attitude. You couldn’t ask for more. Those things serve as an inspiration to me. Since they have given us everything, I don’t want to waste this opportunity.”
The course also brought hope to 20-year-old Marie Dianne Busa, whose wish was to take up an Information Technology course in college. However, her mother could not pay her tuition fees. Dejected, she lost the will to even help herself until she heard about the program.
Throughout the training, Busa consistently topped her exams – something that never happened back in her high school years. The difference, she said, was that she was inspired now more than ever.
“They gave me a chance to study again, which provided me hope that I can still set my life back on track,” she shared.
Once settled, Busa promised never to forget all the kindness she received, instead she intends to pay it forward.
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