Recent Learning Stories

Maxine

Taking up the Computers In Homes course at my age (55), I was a bit apprehensive.  
Unsure of my own abilities and how much knowledge I could retain, I decided to jump in with 
both feet.  I love to learn new things and the course content seemed achievable, so why not?  
I’m a grandmother and I was responsible for my mokos most days... but they were at school 
during the day, which left me with lots of time on my hands.  The course ran during school 
hours and if I needed to leave to pick up the mokos, I could... and with little to no cost, perfect!

Talking to others on the course, we all realised that our levels of learning were immaterial.  We 
all learned the same thing and the pace of learning wasn’t important... for those who needed it,  
there was extra time, extra lessons... all you needed to do was turn up... the help was there. 
And acceptance was practically guaranteed... no matter what walk of life you came from, or 
age. I’ve never felt so accepted and welcomed, and excited to learn.

Before the course, I felt isolated from the world of technology.  I didn’t have the internet at 
home, or WiFi,... didn’t even have a computer. My thoughts were “I can’t afford it, so I’ll just go 
without”.  Upon graduating, I received a computer for my home and I was hooked up to the 
“net”..AND it’s very affordable, no matter your circumstance. I no longer feel isolated from the 
world, and I can have discussions with my mokos, AND my children, about the World Wide 
Web.

I still have a lot to learn, but now I have an avenue where I can learn ANYTHING and that’s 
exactly what I plan to do. Thank you to Peter and Tim at Computers In Homes...this old lady 
is switched on...and there's no going back!

Ruth

Kia ora Guys! My computer has settled in nicely. 

Thanks for your patience Pete.  

Thanks for being an excellent teacher and support person I really appreciated it. You’re a 
great person with all the work you do for the community.

And Tim.  What a great teacher.  You seem to flow in the zone and know the right pace.  Your 
actions / teaching sit firmly on a very deep philosophical base that empowerment is the right 
of all people and we must become kaitiaki or guardians of our freedom, rights and ways of life. 
Keep going Tim, we need more like you.

  

I didn’t do a story for you and Pete because I didn’t feel I had much to say.  But the big thing 
I’ve now noticed is how dramatically my quality of life has changed.  It’s like every expert I 
need to learn from to start a business, write a business card, get back onto Facebook, and be 
inspired to garden, cook and grow are now smilingly available at the click of a mouse.  

I don’t have TV cos ads piss me off and most of its hyped-up junk but its great to be able to 
pick and choose programmes. What I need now is a free course on how to make Facebook 
work for me better.  If you guys run anything that I’m eligible for please let me know.

Kia kaha 

Arohanui