New year, new life for Malabon’s ‘e-nanays’

MANILA, Philippines — Fifty stay-at-home mothers in Malabon City are now certified “e-nanays” assisting their children in online learning.

They were presented certificates last month for completing a two-month program set up by the city government to enable them to learn to use computers for their and their children’s benefit.

One “graduate,” Delma Marimon, said it was a challenge to learn to be a “techie” apart from performing motherly household roles.

“I admit that when my kids would ask me about emails or Zoom sessions for their online classes, I was so afraid as I didn’t know anything about online stuff,” Marimon said, speaking in Filipino. “I realized that in order to help our kids learn during this time of pandemic, we also have to learn on our own and equip ourselves with the digital tools.”

READY FOR DIGITAL WORLD The graduates of Malabon City’s “e-nanay” program, with Mayor Len Len Oreta (standing, center)

Opportunities

In October 2020, the local government launched a new program specifically to “transform stay-at-home nanays into e-nanays.” The 50 program participants were recognized in a ceremony held at the City of Malabon University (CMU) on Dec. 21, 2020, in which prescribed health protocols were observed.

Mayor Len Len Oreta, who is president of CMU, was on hand to congratulate the program graduates. “Now you are capable of delivering learning to your children and helping them in their education at home,” he said, adding that Malabon and CMU were the first local government unit and first local college, respectively, to implement such a project.

“This program is a true example of converting challenges into opportunities. Nanays become e-nanays who are digital-ready to face the future,” he said.

Oreta, his wife, Melissa, and Councilor Enzo Oreta presented the certificates to the mothers. Councilor Oreta donated five desktop computers for their use.

Also present was the team behind the e-nanay tutorial program—professor Maria Luisa Tongco, dean Gloria Gomez, CMU secretary Sheila Villanueva and professor Maria Catherine Arboleda.

Mayor Oreta also cited the 50 senior College of Teacher Education students who served as the mothers’ “private tutors” and who have become their “extended children.”

Empowerment

In thanking those behind the e-nanay program, graduate Anale Cagalitan said: “This gave us another chance at learning. Even amid the pandemic, there are still people who care, and who spent time and effort to teach us one by one, and answer all our questions. We are truly grateful as we now feel empowered with our new learning.”

The 50 women were trained in Microsoft office programs, how to email and use Facebook functions, and how to assist their children during online classes. The training sessions were held at CMU’s computer laboratories.

In training the women, the 50 student-tutors fulfilled the time requirements for their own on-the-job training.

The e-nanays said they were delighted at being able to adapt to the “new normal” way of life: paying utility bills using digital apps and even buying products online. They said they felt “important” once again and ready to face the challenges of a new year.

—Contributed