Course 39

60 Families graduated from Course 39 on 15 December 2010. Certificates were presented by Clare Curren; Labour Party spokesperson for Communications and Information Technology and Graham Kelly; Chair e-Learning Porirua Trust.

Student Testimonial - Terrisa Fa'avae

“If I hadn’t done this course, I wouldn’t be where I am now”

Speaking to Terrisa, it’s clear that she’s a shrewd woman. She recognised that getting a PC and the skills to use it were vital in equipping her and her sons for the Digital Economy – but she’s gone further than that…

Terrisa is now the treasurer of her local Community group; and is also planning to return to full time education when her sons are a bit older. These ambitions are possible because of the Computers in Homes course that was offered at the Porirua RSA.

After successfully completing the Computers in Homes programme and going on to complete further training through the Stepping UP programme, Terrisa can confidently use the Internet, Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and in her own words, she uses the “computer for everything -it’s all at my fingertips!”

Her sons are also making good use of the PC – but only for school work, as mum is strict with their computer time. Her trust computer also came with an internet security program , which protects the family from any Internet nasties that may be lurking, giving mum peace of mind.

The environment at the Porirua RSA was also a huge incentive for Terrisa. Terrisa says the timing of the classes, the location and also her tutor’s warm and professional approach made a huge difference to her. She is now confident that she can use the computer and the internet for whatever SHE wants.

“If I hadn’t come on this course I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’m prepared to return to work, empowered and more confident. I now have a choice in life in terms of jobs. I went up to 7^th form and didn’t have the confidence to continue. I now tell my kids – stick with school so that you can choose your job and your job doesn’t choose you.”

Student Testimonial - Course 38

“I now feel better prepared for applying for jobs that require the use of a computer”

I heard about this course after recently arriving in New Zealand, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to learn how to use a computer.

This course has taught me to type quickly and to how to use a computer to help me write my CV. I have gained a lot of confidence in using computers since doing this course, I now feel better prepared for applying for jobs that require the use of a computer.

I am grateful that the teachers on the course are very kind and patient, as English is my second language it sometimes took me a little longer to understand what I was meant to be doing however the teachers always gave me the time and explained everything clearly for me. The times that the course is on is also very useful as I also study English and with this course being during the day it has really helped me in doing both.

The biggest advantage of doing this course is the computer that you get at the end of it. It has greatly helped my son who is currently studying and at College. I hope that having the computer at home will provide an opportunity for him to get a great education. As well as helping me to find a job that will improve the life of my family.

Colombian Family Graduation - Course 38

Two days after 57 families graduated from Computers in Homes, an additional 21 families were presented with certificates and computers through the Computers in Homes scheme.

On Friday 24 September 2010 at the Porirua RSA, Abdi Bihi; Ministry of Education and Graham Kelly; Chair E-Learning Porirua presented students with certificates. Labour MP; Luamanuvao Winnie Laban and Kris Faafoi stood close by, Litea Ah Hoi was also present.

21 Colombian Refugee families from Porirua and Lower Hutt were provided ICT training at the Porirua RSA every Friday in Term 3. Funded by the Ministry of Education, each family received access to Computers in Homes and Stepping UP training. The Rotary Club of Plimmerton extended a great wealth of generous support during the term by providing voluntary mentoring assistance to E-Learning Porirua's tutor during class lessons. A translator from Refugee Migrant Services was also available to translate lessons spoken in English to Spanish.

The majority of the Colombian refugees have been subject to a fairly high degree of trauma and almost all have lost family members or have been personal victims of severe abuse as a result of confrontations between paramilitary forces in Colombia. During interviews with Immigration New Zealand all the Colombian refugees highlighted their dream to go to a safe place, find jobs and educate their children.

Trained community volunteer support workers are key participants in the successful settlement of refugees. Working closely with professional staff of Refugee Services, they help provide practical support and establish community linkages during the initial months of resettlement. Refugee Services in Porirua are allocated families to resettle every two months and are currently looking to recruit more volunteers.Those interested to offer 6hrs per week of volunteer support may contact Refugee Services on 237 7946 or email jay.edwin@refugeeservices.org.nz

Course 37

Porirua is a City of strong, sharing, caring, well connected communities. Local clubs, groups, businesses and non profit organisations comprising of generous, hard working, passionate people who work together, strive for excellence and are committed to extending peoples lives in the best way possible. An example of this is highlighted through the Computers in Homes programme.

E-Learning Porirua is one step closer to hitting their target of training and providing computers to 1000 families in Porirua. 57 families filled the top floor of the Porirua RSA with excitement and laughter as they graduated from Computers in Homes on Wednesday 22 September.

National MP Hekia Parata and E-Learning Porirua Trust Treasurer Murray Woodley presented students with certificates for completing ten weeks of computer training.

Refurbished computers with 6 month broadband connections are provided to each family upon completion of the course. Further nest eggs were revealed when Cartridge World in Porirua stepped up and donated each family a multi functional printer/scanner/copier device, ream of paper and discount card to purchase cartridges. The Digital Porirua Trust also came to the party and has provided students the opportunity to further strengthen their computer skills and staircase into a 12 month online ICDL (International Computer Drivers Licence) training programme mentored by the Digital Porirua Trust, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Plimmerton and Volunteer Porirua.

Computers in Homes project (CiH) aims to support low income communities to use ICT to strengthen their education. Its purpose as a community driven programme aims to provide computers in homes, schools and community learning centres to families who are socially and economically disadvantaged, and provide them with the necessary skills and internet access to support their children’s learning and engage more fully in society.

Registrations for Course 39 will start at 12pm on Wednesday 12 October in the training room situated upstairs in the Porirua RSA at 3 McKillop Street, Porirua East. For further information please contact 0800555563.

Course 36

Another 25 families successfully graduated from Computers in Homes on 30 June 2010. Students received 10 weeks training, a computer with 6 months broadband and technical support on completion. Mayor Jenny Brash and Aotea College Principal Tim Davies-Colley handed out certificates on graduation day. A huge thank you to Plimmerton Rotary for providing voluntary mentoring and support during this programme.

‘It was fantastic to see all of our graduates grow in stature and confidence during the course and note everyone, without exception, found new ideas and opportunities to explore on-line. It was also very heartening to facilitate a number of students now being able to sign up for further education with Whitireia Community Polytechnic and others being given work experience assistance through our Rotary Club Mentors. The future of the Computers in Homes Programme in Porirua continues to grow with the real needs of our Community’. (Michael Stevens - e-Learning Project Manager)

More photos for course 36 are available via http://rotary.angnz.com/

Course 35

28 Families graduated from e-Learning Porirua’s Computers in Homes programme on Wednesday 7 April with a refurbished computer for the home, a broadband internet connection, relevant basic training and technical support.

Graham Kelly, e-Learning Porirua Trust Chairman was pleased to announce that “this group of families joins the hundreds before them, that have gained skills to enable them to get jobs”

Arnia Hurunui first heard about Computers in Homes through a friend who had completed the programme in 2009. The course which was delivered for 8 weeks in Term 1 from 12pm – 2.30pm on a Wednesday fit perfectly with her day to day schedule.

“I decided to apply for a place on the course as I feel that learning how to use a computer properly and in addition, having a computer to take home will benefit the futures of my 12 yr old daughter, second child on the way and several nieces and nephews that I care for in my home.” she says.

Prior to participating in Computers in Homes Arnia had completed small courses in Business, Customer Service and Retail, upon completing these courses and several unsuccessful job applications in trying to find employment, Arnia realised she did not have enough knowledge on how to use a computer, Microsoft programs and Internet/Email services.

“Gaining computer skills was the next step in advancing my future - since completing the programme I have been offered a paid Work Experience opportunity to pass on what I have learnt to other people”

The Computers In Homes project (CiH) aims to support low income communities to use ICT to strengthen their education. Its purpose as a community driven programme aims to provide computers in Homes, Schools and Community Learning Centres to families who are socially and economically disadvantaged, and provide them with the necessary skills and internet access to support their children’s learning and engage more fully in society. Registrations for Course 36 will start at 12pm on Wednesday 21st April 2010, in the training room situated upstairs in the Porirua RSA at 3 McKillop Street, Porirua East. For further information contact 0800555563