By Diane Lim
In the heart of Catarman, Northern Samar, Genevieve Carpio, a 19-year-old BA Sociology student at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), proves that curiosity knows no bounds, especially in the computer world.
On July 21, 2023, Genevieve attended the Fostering ICT-Related Skills through LEaP (FIRST LEaP) session at Catarman National High School (CNHS). This free 3-hour course on basic digital literacy had caught her attention through their barangay secretary, sparking enthusiasm that led her to invite her best friend to join her.
Upon entering CNHS, Genevieve and her friend were warmly welcomed by Eli Lico, Jr., the Local Youth Hub Coordinator for Northern Samar. Genevieve, an orthopedic and naturally curious girl, showed significant improvement in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Beyond the educational gains, what stood out for her was the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere created by Kuya Eli during the session. “Magaling siya magturo at funny jokes niya [He teaches well and he’s funny],” she recalls fondly.
Her enthusiasm didn’t stop there. Genevieve’s favorite takeaway from the session was the introduction to the YOMA platform or the Youth Agency Marketplace, which she explored further when she returned home. Excited about the numerous opportunities it presented, she hopes to participate in them in the future.
The impact of the basic digital literacy session extended beyond personal enrichment for Genevieve. Most young people in Catarman learn how to use a computer in senior high school. She found herself in a unique position as one of the few in her college who knows how to use the device. WIth this knowledge, she took it upon herself to teach her classmates how to use a computer. As sociology students, they need the know-hows on navigating the Internet for research and digital skills in writing papers. She also has a part-time job as a student assistant for one of her professors. Genevieve applies her digital skills with data encoding, showing the practical applications of the knowledge gained through FIRST LEaP.
Reflecting on the session, Genevieve expressed a desire for more, wishing the 3-hour course could have been longer or included additional sessions. She genuinely enjoyed the experience and recognized the potential for more young people like her to benefit from extended learning opportunities.
