On 4 July, Chung Wah Community Care (CWCC) concluded its five-week Building Digital Skills Program at the Willetton Community Hub. This tailored Evergreen College course was designed specifically for seniors from multicultural backgrounds, offering Chinese-language instruction, relatable real-life examples, and small-group, hands-on teaching.
The course successfully supported nine senior students in gaining practical digital skills, including using Google search, navigating with online maps, and registering and accessing their MyGov accounts. More importantly, it helped shift participants' mindsets, from fearing technology to actively embracing the digital world in daily life.
At the graduation ceremony, participants shared keywords describing their learning journey. They expressed strong interest in future courses covering topics such as online shopping, scam awareness, and digital payment methods, skills closely connected to everyday needs. The course instructor, Sherman, reviewed key takeaways and gave step-by-step guidance on how seniors could continue their learning independently at home, ensuring the benefits would last well beyond the classroom.
During the "Learning Reflections" session, heartfelt stories from participants illustrated the program's impact. One senior shared: "During the pandemic, I was stuck at home and didn't know how to go online. I even struggled to communicate with my children. I felt helpless and didn't know how to ask for help. But now, I can look things up, place orders, and access government websites. I no longer feel left behind by the times." Another participant added: "I used to study science, but today's digital world felt so unfamiliar. This course has helped me regain my confidence in learning, and it feels like my whole life has changed."
Such genuine feedback is the greatest recognition of the program's value. For many seniors, acquiring new digital skills is more than just technical progress, and it's a way to rebuild confidence, dignity, and a sense of connection with family, society, and the broader world.
To mark the occasion, Evergreen College Principal Nunu presented each graduate with a certificate of completion. Holding their certificates and smiling proudly for the camera, the participants radiated joy and accomplishment. CWCC also extended heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who supported the program by providing translation and assistance, helping to ensure a truly accessible and inclusive learning environment.
While the Willetton course has concluded, the seniors' digital learning journey is just beginning. CWCC will launch the next intake at the Balcatta Community Hub from 1 August, welcoming more seniors ready to embrace technology.
No one should be left behind in this digital era, especially not our seniors. CWCC remains committed to ensuring every senior has equal opportunity to participate in the digital society. We look forward to seeing even more smiling, confident faces in the sessions to come.
