Elders plug in to computer cause

By Rebecca Fraser
A GROUP of Sri Lankan elders has lived up to the age-old saying that it is never too late to learn.
On Monday the Sri Lankan Elders Welfare Association (SEWA) officially launched a new computer program at Doveton’s John Pandazopoulos Hall that will teach their older members how to surf the internet and use computers.
SEWA president Tissa Amarasekera said the simple but valuable program was a breakthrough project for the elders and would provide them with important computer training and new opportunities.
Last year SEWA received an invitation from the AMES Education Centre in Dandenong to participate in a computer program designed for elders.
A group from SEWA took part in the three-month course but was disappointed that it could not be an ongoing initiative because of funding restrictions.
“By this time our elders had developed an interest and were keen to study more on computers,” Mr Amarasekera said.
SEWA then decided to incorporate computer classes into its weekly program and successfully sought grants from the Department of Victorian Communities and the City of Casey to purchase new computers.
Mr Amarasekera said they were grateful to everyone who had supported the Elders Association project, including associate member Dinna Liyanarachchi, sales manager at Clive Peeters in Ringwood, who helped them purchase two new laptops and accessories at an affordable price.
SEWA meets at the John Pandazopoulos Public Hall each Monday from 10am to 3pm. As well as its computer facilities the members meet for a chat with fellow elders, to read newspapers and magazines and view television dramas from Sri Lanka.
They also play indoor games such as billiards, cards, carom, as well as enjoying singing and dancing.