Refugee background doesn’t stop enjoyment of technology

Thirteen Auckland families from refugee backgrounds graduated from the national Computers in Homes, Rorohiko I roto nga Kainga, programme recently in a ceremony held at the Wesley Community Centre in Mount Roskill.

Computers in Homes brings Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within reach of both families in low-income communities and families with a refugee background, allowing parents and grandparents to connect with their children’s learning and the wider community.

The event celebrated the achievements of local families who have completed their ICT training which forms part of the Computers in Homes refugee programme.

The families have been provided with a computer and internet access along with training, skills and support to use these technologies which help them to adjust to NZ life.

The graduation was attended by Dr Jackie Blue, National List MP, Abraham Mamer, MoE Regional Refugee Education, and staff from the Computers in Homes programme.

Computers in Homes has been working in partnership with the MoE’s Refugee Education division since 2004 and has provided more than 400 refugee families with a recycled computer, training and support.

“For many in the course, this was the first time they had ever been in contact with a computer in their lives,” says Computers in Homes’ national co-ordinator, Di Das.

“In conjunction with an English course, these 13 families are now able to search the internet, communicate with distant relatives and use basic word processing software.”

The refugee programme has been able to provide ICT education to refugee communities in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Nelson and Porirua.

The refugee families are from Colombian, Somali, Afghani, Burmese, Bhutanese, Burundi, Eritrean, Congolese, Ethiopian, Iraqi and Cambodian backgrounds.

Parents receive 20 hours of basic computer training including word processing, e-mailing and using the internet, at their local migrant centre or children’s school.

The training aims to empower parents to become actively involved in their children’s learning, as well as increase their own employment opportunities and confidence for adjusting to NZ society.

Results from the programme have included employment success and continued education.

“We receive numerous e-mails of thanks from participants in the programme. It opens up a whole new world of opportunity for families who participate,” Ms Das says.

Computers in Homes is an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust with support from the MoE and the Community Partnership Fund.

The 2020 Trust continues to seek sustaining funding and support to expand Computers in Homes to all low income communities where children do not have access to computers and the Internet in their homes.