23 October 2012
Computers in Homes
This comprehensive programme, which many former refugee families settled in the Manawatu have been involved with over the past 5 years, has proved to be enormously successful. In our experience at Refugee Services Manawatu, it is one of the very few, if not the only programme of any type which has successfully removed every barrier to access for refugee families. The provision in particular of childcare and transport is a unique aspect of the programme and without this support most of the refugee families who have recently arrived in the community would be excluded.
The programme has very successfully addressed and supported cultural issues and the employment of a family liaison worker who acts as both a language and cultural interpreter has been instrumental in developing community trust and confidence in the programme. This position has enabled the link between the ethnic and host communities to be as constructive and efficient as possible.
It has been a delight to observe parents in the community who have few literacy skills and who speak no English start developing confidence and enjoyment in using their computers. The increase in their self esteem and in their ability to regain their leadership roles in the family that this programme has enabled has made a significant contribution towards supporting families towards successful resettlement.
(Social worker)
Since November 2011 Victory School has graduated 30 Refugee families and 38 Kiwi families through the Computers in Homes programme (CIH), which is an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust and has been running since the year 2000. So far nearly 12,000 families have benefited nationally, but 2020 Trust estimates another 90,000 families in low decile schools still do not have a computer and internet at home.
On 25 October 2012 the latest group celebrated their graduation with family, friends and staff from the school. Parents receives free training, a refurbished family computer, 12 months subsidized broadband and technical support for a year. The parents pay a contribution to be part of the scheme and must attend 80% of training sessions before the computer goes home. Tutors, technicians and interpreters are sourced from the local community so that the experience is one of joyful learning in a comfortable environment. Training focuses on helping with homework so that parents feel empowered to make a difference to their children’s education and success through their new digital literacy skills. Victory School received a computer suite with data projector and printer for hosting the training, and technician Tim Jackson ensures the families are well set up at home.
Computers in Homes graduates receive a certificate of achievement and free vouchers for Stepping UP training at the school. Stepping UP offers 4 or more modules in specific learning steps and 6 parents graduated last night. Tutors Tania O’Meagher and Deb Blanchard are disappointed more of the families did not take advantage of this opportunity as the classes need a minimum of 6 parents to proceed. “Stepping UP is in danger of closing owing to lack of attendance which is disappointing” says National Coordinator Di Daniels. Any CIH graduates holding vouchers are encouraged to contact Dianne Goodwin at Victory school to enrol in classes on Thursday afternoons or evenings, or pass them back to the school for others to use.
Computers in Homes is funded via Dept Internal Affairs to promote digital literacy for employment and education opportunity for the whole family and Refugee CIH is funded by the Ministry of Education as part of resettlement education. Di Daniels adds “Victory School has been a wonderful host to our digital literacy programmes, and special thanks must go to Dianne Goodwin for her dedication to the families over all the years since the first Refugee CIH intake in 2006.”
The latest intake of Palmerston North Refugee CIH families celebrated their graduation at Freyberg High School on Friday 12 October. 15 jubilant graduates and their children were acknowledged by Freyberg, Refugee Services and Ministry of Education staff. Huge thanks to tutor Michael Herring, coordinator Florence Kelly, interpreter Usanna and Family Visitor Tha Boe who all worked together to give the parents a great training experience over the previous 2 months.
Refugee Education Coordinator for the Wellington Region, Abdi Bihi, presented certificates to a most photogenic group of graduates, many of whom returned for more family shots. The staffroom looked fantastic with examples of wearable arts which provided a creative backdrop to our photos, and a sumptuous lunch was shared before families took their computers home.
Technical support is being arranged via Robin and Richard of FMS and everybody should be online within a couple of weeks. Well done everyone.
Jenny Pepworth, Social worker for Refugee Services has this to say about Computers in Homes
“This comprehensive programme, which many former refugee families settled in the Manawatu have been involved with over the past 5 years, has proved to be enormously successful. In our experience at Refugee Services Manawatu, it is one of the very few, if not the only programme of any type which has successfully removed every barrier to access for refugee families. The provision in particular of childcare and transport is a unique aspect of the programme and without this support most of the refugee families who have recently arrived in the community would be excluded.
The programme has very successfully addressed and supported cultural issues and the employment of a family liaison worker who acts as both a language and cultural interpreter has been instrumental in developing community trust and confidence in the programme. This position has enabled the link between the ethnic and host communities to be as constructive and efficient as possible.
It has been a delight to observe parents in the community who have few literacy skills and who speak no English start developing confidence and enjoyment in using their computers. The increase in their self-esteem and in their ability to regain their leadership roles in the family that this programme has enabled has made a significant contribution towards supporting families towards successful resettlement.”
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