Now 16 computers in Homework POD for United Maori Mission boys!

United Maori Mission Tiro Roa Hostel InZone Project offers a new adventure for piloting Computers in Homes! UMM hosts 50 boys from around the Motu so that they can attend Auckland Boys’ Grammar, but the hostel originally had only 3 old computers for the boys to do homework on. So CEO Matua Terrance Wallace and Di Daniels put their heads together to come up with a plan to address this. UMM funded the 3 new computers and Di got Transpower to donate 16 refurbished dual-core desktops. We then brought 2020 Comms Trust Contracts Director Laurence Zwimpfer into the conversation and he raised issues around connectivity and improving BB access for the hostel. We are seeking funding opportunities to extend our vision and in the meantime Auckland CIH technician Brandon is working wonders with servers, power-boxes etc to get everything up and running for the boys to further their education.

Email from Brandon - United Maori Mission Computers in Homes Tech

 

Thank you for the next lot of computers.

Today I got the kids to take the computers off where they were and tidy up the cables. They also did their own cable management and set the computers up to the network.

The server now is working and the computers are connected to the server. Also there is a backup tape that runs every couple of days to keep things backed up.

 

Thank you

Brandon Johnson

Blenheim

Blenheim training is progressing well with tutors reporting that parents are becoming very adept at emailing and finding their way around the computers and internet. (Cathy-Ann’s photos C-A pics to accompany, as attached) There will be a break over Easter and then the school holidays, but training will resume in term 2. Carmen has been filling in training while Cathy-Ann is on bereavement leave. We send love and hugs to Cathy-Ann and family on the loss of her Mum. Alofa atu. Graduation is set for Wed 15 May,  5.30pm at Bohally Intermediate. We are hoping MP for Kaikoura Colin King will be able to get leave from Parliament to award the certificates, as well as Blenheim Mayor Alistair Sowman attending.

Blenheim Pilot

Kia ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Ni sa Bula Vinaka, Mauri, Malo Ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu and warm Pacific greetings to all!

Computers in Homes took off with huge energy and commitment in Blenheim on Mon-Tues 18-19 Feb 2013. Bohally Intermediate is hosting families for training in digital literacy and homework help. We have 25 families from 8 local schools all meeting and learning together, with a few couples – Mums and Dads who will both graduate with a certificate. Training runs Mondays 12.30-2.30pm; 6.00-8.00pm, and Tuesdays 9.30-11.30am. Classes will run for 10 weeks, interrupted by Easter and school holidays and will conclude on Tuesday 14 May.

Those who came in shyly and quietly were soon laughing and sharing their learning. Technician Carmen, Pasifika Community mentor Lapu, Principal Andrew and National Coordinator Di were on hand to assist our amazing CIH tutor Cathy-Ann. We began with mouse control and practice, using Paint and other mouse exercises chasing a squirrel across the screen – there are some aspiring graphic artists in Blenheim! Di even expanded her job description to being the magic sleep-nana so that a Mum could do her work. Big ups to Bohally for opening their doors to the community.

GRADUATION is set for 5.30pm Wednesday 15 May. Both the MP for Kaikoura Colin King and Mayor Alistair Sowman have been invited. Di visited them while in Blenheim to bring them up to speed with the Digital Literacy being initiated in their town. Other support has come from Ailsa Carey of Marlborough REAP who first invited Computers in Homes to come to Blenheim to support Pasifika families in the homework club at Marlborough Boys’ and Marlborough Girls’ Colleges. Ailsa has been great in getting local community organisations to register as Come to Your Census sites and is working with MDC to bring NetSafe to Blenheim in May to educate the community about cyber-bullying and other online safety issues.

Update: 13th March 2013 "We are having so much fun - the google maps lesson was awesome especially when the parents saw their own villages on screen - magic!!"

Marlborough

A nationwide programme to get computers and computer literacy in the homes of those who don't otherwise have the means to provide it themselves was launched in Marlborough.

See this article

Nelson Computers in Homes making headlines

Push to get people Connect - Malborough Express Media Release

Computers in Homes national co-ordinator Di Daniels spoke to members of the Marlborough Pasifika community in Blenheim last night, encouraging families without the financial means or access to the internet to get connected and get online. 

About 30 community members, including REAP community education organiser Ailsa Carey and Marlborough Girls' College Principal Karen Stewart turned out at Bohally Intermediate School library for the session. 

Ms Daniels encouraged people to sign up for the education programme which provided families with a computer package worth about $4000 including a recycled computer, 12 months' subsidised internet access, training and technical support. 
The programme offered isolated families in the community the chance to be part of the "online world", Ms Daniels said. 

Being connected benefited everyone, but especially students who improved their literacy and achievement levels as a result, she said. 

The 20 hours' training for the programme will begin in term one next year. Payment for the subsidised internet connection ranges from about $5 for broadband to free for dial-up. 

Bohally Intermediate principal Andrew Read said he hoped everyone at the presentation and others who had not made it would take up the opportunity to sign up for the programme and "get involved". 

Computers in Homes was established in 2000 to raise the literacy level of children from low decile schools. It has grown to promote learning and digital knowledge for other members of the community.

to read more about this article...click here

Blenheim Whanau Hui

A new project! Our first Computers in Homes for Blenheim in beautiful Marlborough was launched on 13 November 2012. 17 keen and committed parents registered, with more sending forms in the next day, so it looks like we will not have any trouble in filling our allocation of 25 families. Training will begin early in 1st Term 2013 and the families chosen span 7 schools, with a focus on shared families and Pasifika student achievement. New Whanganui Coordinator Tania Van der Vegte came along to see how we work with schools and provided valuable assistance to parents in understanding the details of CIH. Special thanks to Andrew Read, Principal of Bohally Intermediate for offering to host the training for all families. Valuable support has been provided by Dina Ahradsen Principal of Blenheim School and Karen Stewart Principal of Marlborough Girls’ College. We already have our fantastic tutor Cathy-Ann Scoon and awesome tech Carmen Wilson, both of Bohally. Families are from Bohally, Blenheim, Marlborough Girls’, Marlborough Boys’, St Mary’s, Springlands and Mayfield.
Looking forward to getting straight into it in Week 3 next term everyone.
Soifua ia manuia Di