“Teach a Man to Code”— Free Online Computer Lessons

In this post, I will share the insights I had while on community quarantine. To help fellow JW youths support themselves, I will conduct free online computer lessons mainly about computer programming and coding.

No doubt all of us came to some sort of a realization during this quarantine period which affects people worldwide. I’ll share mine in this post along with some insights on how to take advantage of the unique situation we are at now. Additionally, I will invite you to join me not only to learn, but also to teach others your valuable skills that would help people now and most probably in the future.

Quarantine Realizations

Our situation somehow taught us to stop with our busy world, to pause for a moment and think. If this happened to you, then you probably now have some new ideas, happy family time, sad realizations, and more self awareness than ever before. Before all of this, we often don’t think beyond the present, more than our goal for the day, neglecting one thing that we all knew is true: change is inevitable. We do the things we do because we assume that most things will stay the same today, the next day, and the next. We failed to realize the truth that all things we know are constant but is actually not—like our freedom to move around.

For Breadwinners

As someone who used to work far from home, I know the dangers of being apart. It became evident now. Some were stranded to the place they are, either because they’ve neglected the date, or they’ve simply cannot do anything because they’re far away. I’m just glad that I’ve switched to working at home years before all these happened. The advantage certainly outweighs the disadvantages in situations such as these. Of course, not everyone can work at home. But at least now, we realize that we would probably choose to work within reasonable daily traveling distance. Speaking of advantage, when something happens, we’re already at home with our loved ones to be there with them.

For Students

Regular students were also greatly affected by the quarantine protocols and lock down. Because they rely on the education system that requires them to be on a certain place, they surely felt something lacking—the company of their classmates, their loving teachers, and the daily walk just to get a ride to the school and back at home. Homeschool students, on the other hand, most probably did not feel anything missing with them. Why? Because there was no change with their daily schedule and routine. Of course, they probably now feel sorry for their former classmates who are more affected. They might even want to reach out to them, to comfort them, and to help them get through boredom.

Somehow, I feel that all we’re currently striving for—homeschooling, work at home, intermittent fasting (we must conserve food, right?)—fits right with our current situation. Following Bible principles lead to these decisions and once again prove that living by these principles is the best way to live.

Take Advantage of the Situation

Instead of wasting time on playing games and on having movie marathons to win over boredom, we can do something worthwhile that will help us prepare for the worse. Concerning the youths, I really feel sorry because they unawarely waste their life away. Consequently, they’re not ready to face the future. Fortunately, some youths came to realizations too, and I want to help them to act from that.

This generation have the resources that will help them maximize their time, to be more productive, and even support themselves financially. Most youths have devices that is way more capable than playing games, watching videos passively, and post constant updates about eating, watching habits, and other aspects of life, which are not helpful to others. Let’s see how we can turn these around.

Learn Something You Can Use Now and Beyond

Technology nowadays became something that we can’t ignore anymore. Almost everything we do needs some sort of technological familiarity. Especially now that we are isolated from each other, technology helps us to connect more than ever. People learned the power of technology to do things that are not possible, or they ignore before. Companies now see the value of work from home setup. Employers not in favor with it before surely had their minds changed forcefully.

So, the practical became the obvious. What many Jehovah’s Witnesses do for a living, part-time jobs, work at home setup, homeschooling children, now became sensible and wise for the current situation. We now see the benefits of living by Bible standards and principles.

Teach a Man to Code (free online computer lessons)

We can certainly help each other practically by giving relief goods every now and then, but that is not sustainable. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime,” it’s better to help people stand on their feet whenever we can.

To help youths learn something that they can use now, and in the future, I would like to devote at least 1 hour a week to do a free online computer lessons. My main target audience will be JW youths to help them support their family and their theocratic volunteering work wherever they are, but all are welcome to join via live streaming in YouTube.

I am a software developer so naturally, the skills I will teach involves programming or coding, but are not limited to that. In general, here is what I plan to share:

• Basics of computer and mobile devices
• Basic Excel formulas, Google Sheets, Google Docs
• Basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• C# programming language
• Python programming language
• Useful productivity tools

The free online computer lessons will be conducted using a mix of Tagalog and English (Taglish).

The Best Way to Learn is to Teach

Another goal I have in this initiative is to teach my kids how to teach. As they do this, their learning capability will improve as well. I will start the first few sessions and then my kids could take turns to share what they know. In the future, I might invite other mentors to share their skills, too.

The skills we can learn from each other may not be future proof. But surely, we will get something out of this that’s something more important than counting the lizards on our ceiling or staring at the ants and wonder what they think about you doing that.

“How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is to be chosen over silver.” – Pro. 16:16.

“Making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked.” – Eph. 5:16.

Here is the first lesson! Lesson 001 – How Computers Work – Coding Witness