by Mary Jane R. Amarado
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 3 - - The challenges that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) face in the 21st century are far different from those that confronted them in decades past. They no longer face the problem of communication, homesickness, and depression. The OWWA Microsoft-Tulay, a project of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) that was launched late 2007 here in the city became a great help to the OFWs and their families.
The project has given way to a world in which OFWs can interact and communicate with their families who were enrolled in the project.
Tulay is a free information and communication technology (ICT) skills training primarily to bridge the communication gap through the use of internet between OFWs and their families.
In 2009, a total of 1,273 graduated while there were 1,469 in 2010. Last year, the numbers exceeded its target by 115% and were able to produce 1,713 graduates.
The level of success reached, in terms of impact and outreach, cannot be overemphasized any more than the sustained increase in the number of graduates who benefited from the project and the rising number of waitlisted trainees.
Najib Salapuddin, OWWA Microsoft-tulay Instructor encouraged OFWs and their dependents to avail of the free computer scholarship program.
“This year 2012, we are targeting some 1,886 scholars or more to avail of the scholarship in Region 9…” Salapuddin said. To date, a total number of 163 graduates were already produced during the first month of the year. (MJRA,OWWA9/PIA9/ALT)