Student Testimonial - Marshall Solomon

Marshall wasn’t doing anything before his Computers in Homes course. In his own words he “was in a very dark place” before doing the course. Marshall had actually started a university degree, but was unable to continue when there was a change in student loan policy.

Marshall is married with two young boys – 8 years old and 10 years old. He says his wife has really taken to social networking. She enjoys being able to socialize on-line without having to leave home to do so. Their two boys also appreciate having a computer in the home, especially one connected to the internet. Apparently they are both doing very well at school, because their ICT research skill is paying dividends. The whole family are also keen on doing puzzles on-line.

Since completing the Computers in Homes course Marshall has gone on to do some Stepping Up modules. He has also been an amazing volunteer for two Computers in Homes courses now. His artistic ICT skills have been nurtured too. At the time of his interview with me Marshall was able to proudly show me some of the image and animation work he has been doing. He has every right to be proud of this work – it is incredible – very detailed and professional. This is even more amazing when you know it has been produced on a very basic, refurbished computer. I was immediately left wondering what Marshall could produce with a quality computer with some real CPU speed, good RAM and a high quality graphics card.

Although Marshall was attracted to the Computers in Homes course by the free computer and the six months free broad band he says that it has led to so many more opportunities. He thinks the biggest thing has been the confidence building he has experienced from the courses and the volunteer work he has done. He was particularly motivated by “the energy that was created by the tutor and the programme manager (project manager)”. This ‘energy’ made Marshall believe he could do it, “get out of the hole”. Recently, in fact, Marshall has just completed a ‘Be your own boss’ course with WINZ and is now waiting for some start-up funding to begin trading in digital graphics.

Marshall believes that being part of Computers in Homes has taught him that Porirua is a beautiful place and that it is full of talented, creative people. He hopes he can grow his business to showcase this talent and creativity. “If it weren’t for this place (CIH Porirua) I wouldn’t have even looked at those angles (Porirua as beautiful with talented, creative people). I wouldn’t have looked at Porirua having the best and the greatest, not realizing that the best and the greatest are right here in Porirua”.

I would say “watch this space”. It is clear that Marshall is now motivated to make something wonderful happen here in Porirua. We will continue to follow his progress with the greatest of interest.

Course 42 - It’s not just about a free Computer!

Another 19 students have graduated from the latest Computers in Homes course on Wednesday 5 October. The ceremony was held at the Porirua RSA, McKillop St. Berlinda Gorman, Community Affairs Manager for Microsoft New Zealand, presented the certificates to the graduating students, in front of proud family and friends. Six students spoke at the end of the presentations about what the course had meant to them.

One student spoke of coming to the course thinking it was just going to be a way of getting a computer and internet access. He went on to say it was so much more, that the course provided a doorway into choices and a new way of thinking. Another talked of wanting the computer and internet access for his kids and to learn about email and Facebook, but now was interested in web design. A third spoke of really valuing being able to look for work and apply online. She also spoke of feeling more confident and how her children were even commenting on how she was able to do things they hadn’t learned to do!

Course 41

20 students graduated from Computers in Homes on July 06 2011. What a fantastic term it has been, meet Noel Evans the latest and greatest technician to join the team in Porirua.

PC Virus Telephone Calls

It has been brought to our attention that a number of computers in homes families around New Zealand are getting called at home and told there is something wrong with their computer. They are called by people who say they are from Microsoft or Windows. It is not only computers in homes families that are targeted, and extends to a wide number of users.

Friendly reminder: Under no circumstances should you let someone take remote control of your computer..or give anybody your login information.

Please click here to watch Fair Go's story around this on 23 June 2011.

Student Testimonial - Manu Anaru

“The Computers in Homes course has given me a confidence boost and has helped my children achieve better grades at school”

Manu had no knowledge of computers before she started the Computers in Home course – they scared her. However, family and friends recommended the course to her.

For Manu, she had to learn the basics, from how to turn the computer on and what icons meant, and how to use a mouse and keyboard to navigate.

The course was easy to attend as she was able to bring her children, and had time to collect older children from school. A real bonus was receiving a computer to take home upon graduation. This has encouraged Manu to keep using the computer to further develop her skills and confidence. Her children were very excited recently to get jobs as extra’s in a movie thanks to Manu’s skills at searching for jobs on the Internet.

Manu has introduced a rule at home that the children complete their homework before being allowed to play games. Her house has become a magnet for other children to come and use the computer to explore the Internet, and this makes her feel better about her children and parenting skills. Manu is full of ideas for the future, she would encourage all families to attend the programme.

Student Testimonial - Aime Masters

“It’s like a whole new world at your fingertips!”

Aime Masters has a personality that lights up the room when she talks to you. She is an enthusiastic and positive mother who enrolled on the Computers in Home programme because she realised there was an urgent need to improve her computer skills.

Aime knew that the computer skills she would get from the course; being able to use Microsoft Office and the Internet, would open up huge opportunities for her, not just for seeking work, but also at home. As a mum, being able to help her daughter with her school work (and Aime to keep up with her daughters computer skills) was invaluable!

The computer skills Aime’s learnt from the course have also helped her develop creative skills - for instance she now regularly uses Microsoft Office to design birthday cards and invitations for friends and families.

Talking to Aime today, the thing that really comes through is that for her, to be able to come to the RSA building in Porirua once a week for ten weeks, and finding an encouraging and supportive family orientated environment was crucial to pick up her education and boost her confidence.

And once she has started to grow these skills, you get the impression that nothing will stop her tapping into the wealth of opportunities that the Digital Economy offers.

Course 40

Course 40 was delivered February 2011 - April 2011. 52 Graduates received computers and certificates on Wednesday 13 April.

E-Learning Chair Graham Kelly and Porirua Mayor, Nick Leggett handed out certificates to some very excited graduates. Photos on this occasion were taken by Graham Craig from the Rotary club of Plimmerton. These can be viewed by clicking right HERE!

E-Learning Porirua hits 1000 homes

E-Learning Porirua celebrated it's 1000th family that has received training and a computer as part of the Computers in Homes programme last week. Tracey MacDonald of Waitangirua and her children Braydon, 8, Keelan 5, and Kaylah 4, were gifted with a certificate and an Ipad as an acknowledgement of being the 1000th family. Ms MacDonald is humbled with the award. " I feel very honoured and privileged to be the 1000th person. "To me it's opened up a lot of doors. It's great having the internet - it's just so much easier. It's at my fingertips if the kids need help with their homework. It makes life easier" she says.

The Computers in Homes programme was designed by the Porirua City Community IT Educational Trust to provide computer skills to Porirua locals to assist them in finding jobs. Ms MacDonald says she would like to further her participation in computing to keep it in her mind - at the moment she is finding time between her children's school and kindergarten hours. Porirua City Community IT Educational Trust Chairperson Graham Kelly told the guests last Wednesday this was a "milestone" for the trust. "With a lot of fundraising by our Board, our Trust, over these past ten years, has trained and given 1000 homes computers to families in Porirua City, affecting approximately 1500 adults and 4000 children. "This is a milestone for us and for our community, but most importantly for the families who can now see a better future for themselves."

Written by Dani McDonald - CityLife Porirua News