Computer Class 101: The Computer Club of Oklahoma City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
From mid-September through the first week of November 2023, four Afghan women took a basic computer skills class with the Computer Club of Oklahoma City in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. This relationship and its impact on the lives of four young woman is just one example of how CAIR Oklahoma builds partnerships in the community – partnerships that join an organization that has a need with an organization that is an expert in that need.
This relationship formed when CAIR Oklahoma introduced the Computer Club of OKC (whose office is in the same building as the CAIR office) to Catholic Charities, a refugee resettlement agency in Oklahoma City, who was looking for a partner to enhance employment skills for woman in the Afghan community. Each of the three organizations in the partnership took on responsibilities for this venture’s success.
The Computer Club of OKC is a local nonprofit with a mission to provide older adults with educational skills to use and enjoy technology in their day-to-day living environment in the 21st century. They were excited with the opportunity to reach a new group of students and participate in welcoming and supporting new Afghan neighbors. The Club gave the use of a classroom, a printed and bound curriculum for each student, a volunteer instructor and 2 classroom helpers (coaches) for the weekly 2-hour class, and tea and snacks for each class.
Catholic Charities supplied laptop computers and cases, transportation to and from the class, an interpreter, and additional staff who knows the students.
CAIR Oklahoma facilitated the partnership by coordinating meetings, sharing notes and ideas, and communicating regularly with everyone involved. We also provided cultural and religious training to the organizations and prayer rugs to the students to use during a break for snacks and prayer.
Over the seven-week course, the four students grew in confidence and basic knowledge about computers. When the women arrived for the first day of class, they did so a bit hesitantly – everything was so new. By the end of the course, however, the women were waiting outside their homes for the van to pick them up, assisted one another in the classroom if fellow students needed help, were more animated, spoke up when the instructor asked questions, and were quicker to laugh at their mistakes. As one of the women shared, “Before we came to computer class, we had no idea about computers. We learned how to open the computer, how to turn it on, how to use the Internet. We knew none of this before. We have learned a lot.”
Ann, the instructor, had also been walking alongside two Afghan families and assisting them over the past two years, so she had a lot of experience working with interpreters, speaking slowly, clearly, and in short sentences, which made it easier for the interpreter to communicate efficiently. She learned how to say, “Good job!” in Pashto, and the women’s eyes lit up. Gina, one of the coaches, handmade embroidered computer bag labels with each student’s name, which made each woman feel special and welcome. Beth, another coach, was beloved by students and led a review and practice session when Ann was out of town. The students loved Ann, Gina, and Beth and thought they all did an excellent job!
Not only did four women learn new skills and build confidence, their participation in this course also impacted other members of their families. Several women shared: “I practice at home, and my husband is very positive about me taking the class, and my kids are very happy for me. They see that mom is learning and taking a class.”
At the end of the final day of class, the students and representatives from all three organizations gathered to celebrate with cake and tea. Each student also received a certificate and shared their excitement about and interest in taking more classes!
At the end of the final day of class, the students and representatives from all three organizations gathered to celebrate with cake and tea. Each student also received a certificate and shared their excitement about and interest in taking more classes!
If your organization would like to support Afghan neighbors, CAIR Oklahoma can help you reach your goals! Email Jen Hund (jhund@cair.com) to learn more.