About Us

1. History of Cyberguides ..... told in bits & pieces

As early as 1996, a good number of elderly people, mainly retirees, were already spending their leisure hours learning computer skills.

Many of them had never used a computer before. What then made them want to learn to use the computer?

To an elderly person, the computer is a cold, formidable and very expensive machine indeed! Parents and grandparents may buy the machine for their children or grandchildren, but would hardly want to touch it for fear of damaging it!

The main reason for seniors wanting to learn the IT skills was the birth of the Internet.

Previously, the computer was used by governments, universities, banks and other commercial firms, to store, publish and retrieve information. Now the computer can do more: it has enabled us to use the Internet to communicate with others everywhere in the world at great speed. No wonder the mail sent through the post office is now given the derogatory name: snail mail! The computer also enables us to get information...almost all types of info ... from the world-wide Internet and at great speed, too. So the computer is not just for working people but is also for others, whether young or old, who want speedy communication and who crave for more knowledge and skills.

Is it easy for a person in his 60s to become IT literate?

Yes, if you have at least Primary 6 education and want to learn only the basic computer skills to email and surf the Net.

The answer is "no" if you want to go beyond the basic knowledge and skills, unless you do not give up easily, are willing to buy a computer to use at home, and you have somebody at home or at a computer centre to give you hands-on practice and help you solve computer glitches.

Another proven method of mastering computer skills is to teach others. The reason is obvious! If you want to teach a class how to email, for example, you will have to gain a thorough knowledge of the subject first, right?

That is why even as early as 1998, there were already a small number of seniors giving basic computer courses and hands-on training to other seniors at various community centres. Bear in mind that these seniors have no degree or diploma in computer. So, when their students ask for more, these volunteers have to learn more, thus bringing their knowledge and skills to higher levels!

This in turn explains somewhat why RSVP in the year 1998 was able to recruit a number of seniors to volunteer as computer teachers or tutors.

What was the outcome of recruiting these IT-savvy seniors?
With a dedicated group of seniors willing to teach for free and an ever-growing number of seniors eager to learn came naturally the bonding and camaraderie, and the common desire to learn more IT skills together and to guide other seniors to do the same.

What did this group call themselves?
Cyberguides. It means people who help/guide seniors in computer learning.

With the formation of RSVP Singapore in late 1998, Mr Manfred Schutz, a retiree in his 60s, was entrusted with the task of setting up a committee to organize basic computer courses for seniors with the aim of making them IT literate. This task he did with great enthusiasm and efficiency. He visited many community centres and recruited a good number of seniors, many of whom were already serving in their respective CCs as computer trainers/tutors. In early 1999, the Cyberguide Committee was formed with Manfred as the chairman. Among the members were Chong Seng Choy, Anthony Wong, Tan Koh Kew, Michael Go, David B Y Tan, Chin Sin Chong, Chong Khoon Loon, Evelyn Chua, Ong Chin Seng, Tan Choon Yan and Patrick Chua. According to a handout dated 15.07.1999, distributed to committee members, the computer centres where we Cyberguides were active as trainers/tutors were : Bishan East CC, Kebun Baru CC, Contact 123-IT Club, Bukit Batok CC, Alexandra CC, Fengshan CC, Fenshan IT Centre, Toa Payoh Community Library.

In 1999, Kebun Baru CC's computer club was the place Manfred used to visit almost every Saturday afternoon. You see, the CC had reserved Saturday afternoons for senior citizens to use the computers free of charge; and Manfred had assigned some Cyberguides to be on duty there. Anthony Wong was made the coordinator. Other Cyberguides assisting him were Phillip Tan and Jeffery Law. Another Cyberguide, David Tan, also came to help often. He was a committee member of the computer club and had already been conducting basic computer courses for seniors even before Manfred started Project Cyberguide.

Manfred usually popped in at about 3pm and would talk about activities and plans for Cyberguides. One Saturday, he came specially to get Anthony Wong and David Tan to assist him in working out the committee's budget proposal for submission to the Board.

One elderly lady, Mdm Hong, used to come to Kebun Baru CC for computer practice every Saturday afternoon. She had completed a 9-hour basic computer course in Mandarin for seniors at the ONE Learning Place at Toa Payoh Library, but she needed more practice. The bus journey from her home in East Coast to Kebun Baru would take one hour. But she was very determined to master the e-mailing and Net-surfing skills.

Why did she have to go all the way to Kebun Baru to practise the computer skills?
Because it was one of the very few places where there was a teacher who could teach in Mandarin.

Mdm Hong was a friendly lady who often attended functions at RSVP premises in Maxwell Road. Those of us who knew her respected her for her perseverance in learning IT skills although she was already 80 years old.

Manfred happened to live also in East Coast. The practice session ended at 4.00pm and he very kindly gave her a lift to East Coast.

(To be continued)