'Net' gain for for Women's League
Catholic Weekly (14 November 2005)
by Marilyn Rodrigues
Catholic Women's League Australia is helping women who are determined not to be left behind by the information age.
With the help of a $25,000 Federal Government grant, it is offering computer training to its members who are relishing the chance to find their way around email, the internet and some basic programs and do things many take for granted, such as read emails sent by children and grandchildren overseas.
Peg McEntee, NSW president of the league, says that gaining valuable skills in small groups with their peers is boosting the women's self esteem
"Computers can be very intimidating for older
people," she says.
"I was very nervous when I joined a WEA course a few years
ago. The others obviously had more experience with computers than
me and I didn't cope very well at all. With this program we
take things at our pace and have a laugh together at the same
time."
The aim is to strengthen the information technology skills of its members, especially those living in rurally isolated areas.
As part of the ongoing project, the trainers are now running sessions for league members, such as a recent three-day course in the Sydney archdiocese.
