"Yet when investment arrives and when agencies offer FREE training on FREE
computers these same people disappear into the mist because they have no excuse
left, or realize that their bluff has been called and the reality is that they
never really WANTED to use the facility, but it was something to bang a drum
over!"
The truth of this statement is really profound. I was involved in a program
a few years ago and there were brand new i-Macs with free Internet access
available for families with a 6-hour course (over 2 weekends with lunch) as the
only prerequisite. Only 20% of the machines went out in the first 6 months.
This was sad and frustrating for many of us but we came to understand that the
computer meant nothing to them as they could not perceive the value of the
technology in their lives. Their children's MAYBE, not not their own. The
fact is there has to be a practical use for a given technology otherwise it is
a handy but bulky door stop for too many folks.
There are those who identify so closely with the culture of victimhood that
they will not take steps to help themselves no matter how the support is
offered or who seeks to share it. The up side of this is there is ALWAYS
someone willing to step up to the plate to accept that offer of assistance. A
hand up, NOT a hand out!.
Paul Mondesire
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