Taking the Internet to Isolated Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand

Di Das National CoordinatorRebecca Fraser Regional Coordinator

VolunteersExpertise

VisionICT

To help all New Zealanders benefit from the opportunities of the new digital era, especially the internet

Background in Treaty & anti-racism education Studies in Matauranga Maori and Pasifika Ed

HRC free seminars Wgtn 2003 – 2004 Access to education as a human right – who is left

behind?

New context: e-Government; Digital literacy Access to information as a human right – who is left

behind?

Connections between Human Rights Commission & Computers in Homes

There are an estimated 100,000 families with school-aged children who do not have access to a computer and internet for their studies (NZ Census statistics 2006)

1990’s Global ideas shared & modified2000-05 nationally NZ pilot schools only via MoE2006-09 regional clusters of schools via CPF2010 Government budget line 2010 – 2013From 2020 pilot to Govt budget took 10 yearsIf Digital Literacy is considered essential for economic growth – who is left behind?

Free Project Management to schools that apply ~20 families per school Refurbished high-end Pentium 4, W-7, Office 2007 20 hours compulsory free training per family $50.00 buy-in per family Graduation celebrations & certificates 6 months free Broadband or dialup 12 month hardware warranty Technical support for user-generated problems WOF and family surveys at 12-18 months

Computers in Homes package includes

Feedback from SchoolsPrincipals say: More parental interest Better relationships &

communication More homework done Improved attendance Student achievement

enhanced The best outside programme

to run through their school Can we do it again?

Parents say: Able to help with

homework Learn new skills Understand technology Confidence Didn’t know anyone cared

about their lives before Feel connected to the world Now I know what ‘go to

www for more information’ means!

Far North &East Coast

2 hours nearest townNo store

No library

Many families no power, no phone

no services to gateno BB

Working with Whanau/Hapu/Iwi

Tuhoe Education Authority

Te Runanga o Ngati Porou (TRONP)

Ngati Wai Trust Te Whanau Apanui Ngati Awa Trust Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Putiki Marae

So what makes Computers in Homes different?

Working with Refugee communities

Top down Govt approach Refining project to needs Remove barriers to

attendance Engaging children with

refugee background into NZ education ASAP

No cost MoE funded RSA & MoE choose 95

families/year 30 hours training 12 months BB Interpreters Transport Babysitting Family visitors

Refugee Computers in Homes

What they get per family Refugee CIH Generic CIHComputer for home YES YES

Cost to family None Yes $50

Training 30 hours with interpreters 20 hours

Interpreters funded Yes No

Refreshments at training Yes No

Transport funded Yes No

Babysitting funded Yes No

Family Liaison Visitor funded

CIH Coordinator Support

Yes

National / Wellington

No

Regional / local

Internet 12 months free 6 months free

Break fees N/A $99 under 12mths

Rejuvenation WOF & Survey No Yes

Frequency of intakes Once annually per region Multiple intakes annually

Long-term commitment to communities:

Maori, Pasifika, Refugee, low- income, isolated

Continuity of personnel Professionalism and

humanism Team with integrity Trust. Trust. Trust Deliver outcomes on

time, in budget

Building Trust with Community & Govt

Other Trust programmes

Access to education a human right √ Access to information a human right √ Access to internet now considered a HR √ Who is left behind? Who is the 25%? No power or phone to gate Copper wire or fibre optic To the node or to the gate Leaves significant numbers behind Cost of telecommunications services in NZ

Rollout of UFB to 75% of NZ

SNAP $34.95 20Gb High speed BB/mth Few can afford landlines Cannot afford 2nd 6mths = $99 break fee

Wi-Fi options where available $400 Wi-Fi connection fee normal

InspireNet Wi-Fi $37.50 10Gb/mth No connection fee, free modem for CIH Pre-pay scratch cards

Computers in Homes families just want to know if they can get online

Opportunity Aspiration & EngagementHomework, Skype, staying in touch, FaceBook, information, new studies, applying for jobs, Trade Me, selling crafts, TV online, news, emailing, music, YouTube, recipes, sportAcademic, arts, business, employment, health groups, to combat isolation, church newsletters, whakapapa Case studies, social work, office work, online businesses, websites, teaching

Toni Kahu from non-user Mum to ICT Lead Teacher in 5 years