Mar.11, 2011

First service learning partner meeting.
We didn't hear from anyone from our service learning partner "Canadian centre for victims of torture" until the week of Mar. 7th.
I sent several emails to ask when we can visit them for service learning hours, but I haven't received any email back.
Finally during the week of March 7, I received an email that we can visit the centre for our community service hour on Friday 11-12.
But a day after, I received another email from our team member saying that we have an information session on Friday at 9.
I usually have a physics lab on Fridays at 11, but I didn't have one on that specific date due to a test during that week.
So I went to the centre which is located near Dundas and Jarvis.
We didn't do much until the class at 11 O'clock. We introduced ourselves and met several people came to work voluntarily.
The class was for teach computer to immigrated adults who are learning English at the community centre.
Most of the people were from 3rd world countries like Somalia.
A lot of people didn't even know how to turn on a computer.
There were many volunteer workers came to help the adults, so most students received 1-to-1 lessons from volunteers.
I had to teach 2 students. I couldn't remember their names since it was too hard to memorize.
One person had a little bit of experience, but the other person had no knowledge about computer at all.
Even it was very little, the person with experience was a lot more easy to teach.
I helped her to set up an email account since she wanted one. Also I taught her how to send, read, and reply emails.
The other person didn't know anything even how to turn on a computer.
So, I taught really basic ones like moving mouse and creating a document using MS word. It was extremely hard since she didn't know any English. I had to use body language for everything to communicate with her.
I worked for 4 hours on that day. I was exhausted but I felt happiness when finally they understand something new.
They didn't have any chance to received education on computer back in their country.
It was so weird. Everyone in Canada and my home country, Korea, know how to use a computer.
They couldn't receive good education due to war and hunger.
I felt sorry about them.