CiH for children of refugee background: Palmerston North Refugee Graduation June 2016

Another successful refugee Computers in Homes programme was celebrated in Palmerston North on the 25th of June 2016. Five refugee families graduated in style as they completed their computer training at Freyberg High School. Most of the families had little to no knowledge of how to use a computer and they all worked very hard to make the most of the training.

Thank you to Sonja De Lange from Red Cross for presenting the families with their certificates.

From left: Dave Clark (Icona Tech), Doug Strachn (Trainer), Adasullah Rezei (Red Cross), Cr Adrian Broad (Palmerston North City Council), Gina Gonzalez (MOE), Sonja De Lange (Red Cross) Wendy Jochem (Associate Principal Freyberg High Scool), Cr Tangi Utikere (Palmerston North City Council), Burmese Family Interpreter & Deven Rai (Freyberg Refugee Family Coordinator).

We were very fortunate to have a supportive group come along to celebrate with all of the families.

Shona Te Huki, Computers in Homes Manager

The 20/20 Trust provides refurbished computers and internet access to about 100 refugee background families nationally per year, under a Ministry of Education contract. The Ministry also contracts separately a regional training provider to deliver the training component, employ family liaison and provide technical support to the families during the 12 month contract.

The initiative runs in refugee background communities in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Nelson.

Goals

1. to give refugee families the necessary computing tools and skills to become active learners
2. to provide refugee children and their families with access to online educational resources from home.

Outcomes

1. Greater self-confidence in using IT resources
2. Improved child/parent and home/school relationships
3. Families accessing educational resources relevant to their language and cultural backgrounds.
4. Improved literacy and numeracy for refugee children and their families
5. Improved communication skills

These projects are managed from CiH National Office.

Contact

Shona Te Huki

021 840 053

shona.tehuki@2020.org.nz.

Computers in Homes

Bringing Technology to New Zealand families since 2000

Computers in Homes works with low decile schools, helping students and their families use internet, email and computers at home, school and work.

Between July 2015 and June 2016, we helped 1,750 families from 421 schools and kura. We've helped 16,890 families since we started.

Visit www.computersinhomes.nz

The 20/20 Trust

New Zealanders fully participating in our digital world

Computers in Homes is an initiative of the 20/20 Trust.

The 20/20 Trust works with communities, leading programmes contributing to New Zealanders’ digital literacy, skills and inclusion.

Our other programmes include KiwiSkills, Stepping UP, ICDL and the Digital Inclusion Map.

Visit www.2020.org.nz