CiH for children of refugee background: Hamilton Refugee Graduation

In August 2014, 12 Colombian families graduated at the Waikato Migrant Centre after a combination of 1:1 training at home and together in class. HMST (Hamilton Multi-Cultural Services Trust) has been using this method of instruction so that families can begin involvement as soon as possible after they arrive in NZ. As families arrive in small intakes of 3-4 at a time, it is hard for them to wait months, or up to a year for a complete class to start. Eventually all graduate and celebrate together. Actually MP’s David Bennett and Tim Macindoe had attended but had to leave for another engagement, and as Di’s plane was delayed we missed each other and they do not star as they usually do in the photos. Thanks to the wonderful team at HMST: Ellie, Tania, Merzia and John, as well as interpreters, Fatlianto Xiao from MoE and Red Cross Refugee Services.

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