FIFTEEN senior citizens from St Ann recently graduated after completing an eight-month basic computer course organised by the Council for Senior Citizens.

The programme, now in its fifth year, was staged by the council, in collaboration with Sandals Dunn’s River Resort, the St Ann Parish Library and HEART Trust.

The classes, which were free, were held twice weekly at the St Ann Parish Library, and introduced participants to various aspects of computer use, including the creation of email addresses, surfing the web and word processing. Participants were put into two groups with each group attending class once per week.

“They were all excited about the course,” said Sandals’ public relations manager Lindsay Isaacs.

Over the years, the computer course has attracted elderly people from across the parish, some of whom never thought of going back to school. Last year, an 84-year-old woman graduated after completing the course; this year the oldest person was a 78-year-old woman. Participants over the years have not merely attended the course for the sake of attending but have been putting their new-found knowledge to good effect, Isaacs explained.

“Most of them go back into their communities and assist children in the schools, some get computers to use at home, some in order to earn an income,” Isaacs said.

Meanwhile, Sandals Dunn’s River donated a computer and a printer to assist elderly and needy people in the parish.

Graduates who do not have access to computers will be able to use the computer that Sandals Dunn’s River donated to the Council for Senior Citizens. The printer, meanwhile, was donated to wheelchair-bound Wesley Cunningham of Alexandria, who was “delighted” after receiving the gift.

Cunningham, who had to travel from Alexandria to St Ann’s Bay to attend classes, had for years expressed the desire for a computer and a printer which he could use to earn an income.

“I’m really delighted to receive it,” Cunningham told the Observer.

Cunningham said he now wants to do a course in computer graphics as this will enable him to make items such as business cards and flyers.