Story of Chew Ah Kuan

In 1956, a small house inside a village, (a small town called Mentakab in Pahang) a cute little baby girl was born. The whole family members were happy and grateful with her coming. The mother named the little baby ‘Kuan’. That baby was me!!! I was the members of eleventh in the family. That means above me I have five sisters and five brothers.

Brothers and sisters grown up in this little house. Even though our parents were poor but they take care of us and bring us up with their effort. When my father past away. My mother has to bear double responsibility to take care all of us. Unfortunnaly, a bad dream happened and take my effort to walk. (I fell down from the tree and broke my spine when I was six years old) I went through all the operations and treatments that were required of me. I suffered a great deal but I fought on to be alive. My mother never gives up getting a better care for me. My sadness and the feeling of inferiority getter better because of my gentle mother and brothers and sisters. My family had always encouraged me to study more.

For not letting my family down, I decide to continue my life, after seven years resting in my house. I beginning my new life and went to Kuala Lumpur. I got job in a accountancy firm and join handicapped society.(Persatuan Orang Orang Cacat Anggota Melaysia). I had been a general clerk in an accounting firm for two years. At the same time, I met my husband in one of the society and build our family. My husband is a cane furniture maker. He is a polio patient. He strived hard to earn a living and raise a family. I resigned from my job because after married I gave birth of my first child. I needed look after my child.

One day, I received a call from Thomas Low. He told me that, they had organized a computer course for disabled women. I felt happy to listen from him. Because I am very interesting in learning computer and like to work from home. After had been discussed with my family. They agreed to let me join to the course. During the session we were tought how to use Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point and surfing internet. The most advantages are to further improve our proficiency in the computer. Lastly I would like to thanks to DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN DEVELOPMENT.

SOHO COMPUTER COURSE

Situation : receive call from a stranger

Daughter : Mother, you forgot to bring your mobile phone, right ! someone called you just now.
Mum (me) : Alamak, who is there calling?
Daughter : No idea, is a stranger, a man lah.
Mum (me) : Did he leave down any message?
Daughter : No, just a phone no. only, saved inside the phone.
Mum (me) : O.K. I will return call tomorrow to find out who he is?

Next day, I gave a call to the “person”. Finally, I got to know that, he’s name is Mr. Thomas Low. He is from eHomemakers. After the introduction.Mr. Low briefly descriped about the course to me.

He told me that, they had organized a computer course for disabled women. The purpose of this programme is to provide OKU women who are interested in learning to use computer. At the same time they also organized motivation courses and encourage us to try harder. They will giving three months of learning. Also that, they will pay every “Students” RM35 when they attend the class.After the course, they will get a job for us. There is work from home, provide you have a spacing in our house. The title for this course is called “SOHO” , that means small office home office.

I felt nervous, when I heard about that. Because I found that the place of the “school” is quite far away from my house. Firstly, I have the transport problem. Secondly I got to arrange my times. After that, I started to discuss with my husband and two daughters. My family members satisfied with it. They encouraged me and told me that, this is a opportunities to improve yourself. The more you learn, the smarter you become, they said so. Just do your best – that is enough. Above all, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Lastly, I had get rid of nervousness and I called Thomas for registered to seek admission.

First day, I got up early because we scared of traffic jam. My husband use to send me by his motorcycle. It’s quite a distance from house to school. We took almost an hour to reach the destination. The first day I attended the class. I personally feel that the school environment , there can accommodate the wheelchair members. Beside steps, ramps should also be built to make it easier for them to move around. Toilets too, should also be disabled friendly. Before disabled students can enjoy the benefits of education, they must first get to the classroom.

There are several advantages in studying at the course. Firstly, we get the opportunity to meet members from all over the areas. Very often, lasting friendships are made during this period. Since they are able to mix with members from different states and different background, it helps us to broaden their outlook. Another advantage is to further improve our proficiency in the computer.

There were 30 “students” in the class with me. I enjoy on learning in this class and happy get along with my friends and teachers. All of them are nice, and like to lend a hand when I having the problem. The teachers taught us patiently start from the very beginning. Now I getting to know and having fun while using the computer, In the computer class, I learnt from the basic things like, how to type and using Microsoft word m excel and power point. The most exciting activity is searching the internet. I have been looking forward to try on this and this was the first time I sent on e-mail through internet. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my dearest teachers. I really appreciate because letting me to learn some computer literate.