NEWS: Precious Resource

Every week, a group of 13- to 17-year-olds from the GOSM Precious Network in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, go to UCSI University for weekly computer classes.

Most of the children need help with their studies and come from deprived backgrounds.

As their parents are undergoing rehabilitation programmes, the children are placed in stable homes and cared for by the staff of the GOSM Precious Network.

Associate Dean of the Management and IT Faculty at UCSI Stephen Corneilius and lecturer, Sharon Lee initiated the computer classes. They not only got the university’s staff to teach the children computer and language skills, but also commit part of their salaries to defray the home’s monthly utility bills.

UCSI University has been providing computer lessons to the children of GOSM Precious Network.

“The children need to be taught basic English before they can use the computer,” said Lee, adding that simple exercises prepared by lecturers at the faculty ensured that the children could reach a stage where they could use the computer.

This included setting up their own e-mail accounts, surfing the Internet, and learning basic computer software applications.

The faculty’s commitment to the Precious Network began in early August.

“During a visit to the home, I found that what we could truly offer as a university was education, and education for these children can go a long way in the long run,” said Lee.

Rev Dr Robert Judah Paul, who oversees GOSM Precious Network, said: “These weekly classes may seem small in comparison to the many other classes going on at UCSI University, but it is monumental for the children and for the home as well.”

The GOSM Precious Network operates near the Chow Kit district of Kuala Lumpur, and provides food relief and shelter, rehabilitation opportunities and facilities as well as counselling.

UCSI University is the first higher education institution to help the home through computer classes.

There are 14 homes under the care of GOSM Precious Network, housing over 600 individuals picked from the streets. About 45% of them have been integrated back into society.