What can a former domestic worker from Hong Kong teach battle-weary members of the Moro National Liberation Front? In one word: Technology. Had it been another teacher, the lessons would have been tougher, more rigorous, and elaborate. But Myrna Padilla knew that drowning her students in specs and jargons could prove intimidating to first-time users. The OFW-turned-entrepreneur decided to tell her story.
“My employers in Hong Kong told me that my primary job as a domestic worker was to look after their son, Jonathan, when he uses the computer. I had no knowledge about the computer because I’m not a high school graduate. My 12-year-old ward would tease me: “Myrna, don’t you have a computer in your country?” I was too embarrassed to say that my family did not even have electricity at home, what more a computer. Jonathan taught me how to use a mouse and it changed my life. I decided to enroll in a computer class. I spent my day-off every Sunday learning how to use the computer. My dream then was from holding a toilet brush to working on a computer.”
Myrna’s dream came true in a manner that defied all expectations. From being a domestic helper in Hong Kong more than 10 years ago, she now owns Mynd Consulting, a business process outsourcing company in Davao City that develops websites, mobile and Facebook apps for global clients. Citing her humble beginnings, Myrna told her MNLF trainees: “If I can dream and make that dream come true through technology, so can you!”
The participants, which included former rebel commanders aged fifty and above, learned how to use a mouse for the first time. The agile mouse confused them as the cursor roamed around the computer screen like moving targets. Soon enough their nervousness gave way to wonder, as their palms seized better control of the mouse. A connection was made, the click evident from fingers to brain. The former warriors discovered the digital playground for the very first time.
The learning session was both fun and emotional. MNLF leader Jamel Baguinsodon, 58, of Compostela Valley said that the outbreak of war in Mindanao during the time of President Marcos prevented him from going to school. The one-day course was his chance to obtain a diploma. “I am very happy because at least I can tell my children that even at my age, I now have a diploma for attending this computer class.”
Aside from bringing home a certificate, each of the twenty participants obtained an e-mail address, Facebook and Skype accounts. They also learned how to search for their favorite music using YouTube. During the seminar, they sent each other e-mails to read and reply to, cryptic at first, followed by more playful messages the second time around. Skype was a fun session, with computer screens split into two or three, depending on the number of users. “We no longer need to travel long distances to be able to meet!” one of the leaders said.
MNLF leader and chair of the Davao del Sur regional committee Leopoldo Lalang told Myrna, “If your dream before as an OFW was from toilet brush to computers, we also now have a new dream — from guns to keyboards.” It was an emotional and inspiring end to what was supposed to be just another usual seminar.
The computer literacy seminar came about through the help of The Asia Foundation, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Australian Aid, in partnership with the Moro National Liberation Front under the stewardship of Vice-Chairman Jimmy Labawan. It is part of a capacity-building project aimed at promoting peace and development particularly in Mindanao. Hopefully, the project can gain more advocates and supporters so that more MNLF communities can gain knowledge and skills through technology.
