Microsoft Tulay Training Empowers OFW to Open Own Internet Café

The Microsoft-Tulay Project (MTP), a program in collaboration with Microsoft Philippines and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has helping Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to access training on technology through CTLCs.

Many OFWs and former OFWs are now learning computer skills, which would enable them to explore alternative business opportunities when their contracts overseas have been fulfilled. One of them is Racel Baldorado, a performing artist who worked in Japan. She is one of the first graduates from the Tulay CTLC in Zamboanga City, where the training are jointly implemented by OWWA and NGO partner, Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak ng Manggagawang Migranteng Pilipino, Inc. (KAKAMMPI)-Mindanao.

With her sister, who also worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, Racel immediately registered to take part of the program upon learning about it during a visit to OWWA’s Region 9 office. Through the program, she learned new IT skills. In addition, the experience gave her insight into starting an Internet café business.

With the help of her Tulay instructor and officers form the OWWA regional station, Racel was able to ascertain the requirements for starting the business. Two months after graduating from Tulay, she opened her own Internet café located at Tugbungan, Zamboanga City. Her shop is small but strategically located near the commercial area and easily accessible to Internet café goers.

Before, she decided to try to work overseas because she didn’t saw any other opportunity for her in the country. But when the ban on performing artist was place, she realized that she was going to have to stay here for good. That time she wanted to start a business so she could support her family. She always wanted to open an Internet café, but before the Tulay training, she was not familiar with computers, or how to go about starting a business.

Now that she is operating this business, she fell so lucky and blessed that God led her into this. She is thankful that Microsoft offered the chance for OFWs like her to learn IT skills, giving her the chance to join the Tulay program and realize her dream of having her own business.

Tulay is part of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills Program, a global initiative focused on improving life-long learning for underserved youth and adults by providing technology skills through non-government organization around the world.

Recipients of the program grants are public centers where people can gain IT skills and training to help themselves and their communities. The center is equipped with Internet connection and web cameras, enabling the OFWs to communicate with their families in the Philippines in virtual face-to-face conversations.

Tulay utilizes the Unlimited Potential curriculum – customizable training modules developed in the United States and used in more than 100 countries – to train OFWs and their families in basic computer, Internet, and digital media fundamentals, as well as word processing, spreadsheet presentation and database application. The curriculum has also been translated in various languages.

This curriculum has been accredited by TESDA. As of May 2007, Tulay has reached out to 7,121 OFWs and their families who have been able to find better employment opportunities.

Tulay CTLS are located all over the world. There are centers in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Milan and Rome, Italy. Locally, centers can also be found in OWWA offices in Manila, Cebu, La Union, Bicol, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and in the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) office in Ortigas…