Low-cost computer training at SHAWCO community centres

SHAWCO (Students' Health and Welfare Centres Organisation), which has served communities in need across Cape Town for the past 71 years, has extended its community services to include basic computer courses at their Kensington and Manenberg centres, thanks to support from technology firm Dell.

Known as SHAWCO ShiftIT, the initiative provides training in basic computer use at a cost of R40 for the course.

Shift IT training sessions are available to the community five days a week, and give participants an introduction to Microsoft Office programmes and instructions on how to navigate and search the internet.

All participants who complete a five-day course at either of the SHAWCO centres will receive a certificate confirming their training. The computer centre in Manenberg also offers an internet facility from 09h00 to 17h00 Monday to Friday, enabling community members to search for employment opportunities and prepare and submit their CVs online.

"One of the biggest challenges impacting the communities of Manenberg and Kensington are high levels of unemployment. Thanks to Dell, SHAWCO ShiftIT makes it easier for community members to improve their computer skills and search and respond to job opportunities online," says SHAWCO Director Faith Brown.

"Dell is proud to support SHAWCO's ShiftIT programme, which aims to make internet access more accessible to poor communities and help make basic computer training available to all '“ regardless of age," says Natasha Reuben, head of transformation for Dell South Africa. "We hope that through this programme we can help people access job opportunities, children research school projects and find study aids, and help local businesses become more efficient by making IT more available."

Image by Abbaas Allie.