JDC Volunteer Computer Tutoring Program Benefits Elderly and their Families

Gisia does not retell her horrific ordeals from the Holocaust to her children. "It is too difficult for them to struggle with such unpleasant stories," explains Gisia. "They would rather not hear them." But at 85 years old, Gisia decided she must recount her experiences, no matter how difficult for her or for others. "I cannot die without writing my story," she concedes.

So when Gisia heard about JDC-ESHEL's "Computers for All Ages" program, she insisted on participating, despite the challenges of learning a new technology at an advanced age, and her severely limited motor skills which made using a keyboard difficult. "She understood the program would help her record her story for posterity," said Moshe, her volunteer coach, who taught Gisia word processing at the local Day Care Center for the Elderly in Nes Tziona. "She would not take 'no' for an answer." Word by word, Gisia wrote down her story, at a pace approximating one line a day.

Gisia is not alone. Through the program, JDC-ESHEL introduced computers into seniors' clubs, day care centers and homes for the aged. The "Computers for All Ages" project now operates in over 155 locations, having grown exponentially from its initial four pilot sites in 1997. Over 640 volunteers have tutored more than 10,800 elderly throughout Israel since the program's inception. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation helped disseminate the program with JDC-ESHEL, while local associations for the elderly, local municipalities and local facilities for the elderly have partnered with JDC to help carry out this program.

Yaakov, Director of the "Computers for All Ages" program and JDC-ESHEL's Webmaster notes the program's tremendous contribution. "Volunteers are trained so they can adapt the program to meet the needs, abilities and rhythms of each participant," explains Yaakov. "We are now reaching many groups of elderly, and even are successfully carrying out the program with elderly who have severely impaired vision, elderly who have suffered traumas that compromise their functional abilities, and elderly patients in psychogeriatric institutions," says Yaakov.

While a number of the participants became involved in the program to record their personal accounts from the Holocaust, the "Computers for All Ages" program is much more than a tool for survivors to share their stories. Participants have utilized their new computer skills to access information through the internet, to play games and for desk top publishing. The program has proven to be an optimal means to combat loneliness, promote self-image and strengthen cognitive skills. It improves the impressions of the elderly in the eyes of the public, while creating intellectual, communication and social opportunities for the elderly. It also bridges intergenerational gaps, generates employment opportunities, and in some cases, promotes healing.

Such is the case with Shimon, who joined the program at a Petach Tikva geriatric hospital as part of his rehabilitation process. Shimon learned basic typing and mouse skills in an effort to improve his motor skills, while learning to surf the internet and communicate by email. He felt the experience played such a great role in his healing process that, after his recovery, Shimon asked his coach to help him become a tutor. Shimon has since become one of the program's most active volunteers.

In fact, like Shimon, most tutors are themselves pensioners, tapping an important but underutilized source of volunteers. Retired engineers, programmers, school teachers and others take great joy in sharing their computer skills with their peers.

And then there are the families that receive a priceless gift as a result of the program. One computer coach paid condolences to the family of an elderly man who wrote about his life and experiences as a pioneer in Israel. The tutor printed out a copy of the man's memoirs and created a gift booklet which he presented to the family at the shiva, after the man's passing. "Everyone broke out into tears," relates Yair, a retired computer analyst. "The gentleman had never shared his life story with his family. They had no knowledge of his involvement in the establishment of the State. The family will be forever enriched with the story of their father and grandfather's aliyah to Israel."

Gisia's painstaking efforts also resulted in a moving account of her ordeal. She entitled her work "How I Saved My Daughter from the Last Train."

"I want it to be there for anyone who may be interested, even long after I am gone," explains Gisia. Even if her family chooses not to read it at this time, JDC has helped ensure that Gisia's testament, and those of many others, will forever be available for all who wish to share in their memories.