She regretted that she never got to learn how to use the machines back then.

But now that's what she is learning at Shanghai Senior's University in Luwan District.

"Never too old to learn," Yan said. "Later, I will also learn how to get on to the Internet."

To help local senior citizens become computer savvy, a Website (www.oldkids.com.cn) and several institutions, including the Shanghai Senior's Foundation, are urging Shanghai residents and companies to donate second-hand computers, computer parts or even money that will be used to buy computers. The computers will be placed at 1,000 community centers that will be established for computer training or use for the elderly.

"Our company will check the second-hand computers and install the parts," said Zhang Zhi'an, president of oldkids.com.cn.

For instance, the first training center in Xuhui District - temporarily in an existing community center - is ready for students, but it still needs 10 computers, he said.

Yan said she wants to use e-mail "to connect more with my eldest daughter in California and urge my grandson to develop computer skills so that he can learn more about the outside world."

But others who are 55 or older are not as fortunate, said Zhang, whose Website has taught about 500 senior citizens how to use computers in the past year.

"Two-thirds of the students feel that computers are too expensive, so their practice time on computers is limited to their time in class."

To donate a computer, computer parts or money, call 86-21-64280981.

(eastday.com October 29, 2001)