Westport courses get started

We are pleased to be starting our CiH course in Westport at the Salvation Army Hall this week. There are 10 pod PCs connected with 3 spaces for laptop users. Class is scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 in the day and 7:00 to 9:00pm in the evening. Our day class is almost full, however we are still looking for more night students. If you are interested please contact our tutor, Jeannie at 021 0228 5539 or our coordinator Cheryl at 0800 927 327.

Trainer attends National Computers in Homes meeting

On Wednesday, March 3rd, Cheryl and I flew to Hawkes Bay and drove to Wairoa to meet up with the CiH colleagues from across New Zealand. We got to attend the launch of the new Wairoa CIH Community Training Centre, which was very exciting for the local gang. On Friday was the more formal CIH team meeting. This was an excellent opportunity for me to meet with the CIH support network and learn how other programs are running. It was an exciting week, and I am looking forward to using the things I learned in my program in Buller.

Murchison and Ngakawau courses running smooth

Thanks to the wonderful concept of 'word of mouth' on the coast our courses in Ngakawau and Murchison have filled up with a bunch of keen learners. Each one is looking for their own pathway to learning how to use computers. One of the best parts of computers in homes (besides taking home your own computer eventually), is that courses are kept to basics and students learn what they want to learn. We started with turning the device on and off and then play some games. If learners are keen we do a bit of word processing and they create a poster with what they have learned. Next steps are learning how to keep your computer healthy, how to surf the web, and internet safety.

Classrooms? - Check!

Our Pod in Murchison all set up and waiting for the first Computers in Homes Students!

Launch in Buller and Visit from the National Committee

After much preparation through December and January, we have 3 classrooms running and ready to launch. National Coordinator, Di Das and WestReap ACE Coordinator, Cheryl Jackson, came to launch the program with ICT trainer, Jeannie Bryson, from February 10-12th. Murchison courses will be run out of the local Plunket rooms, with 6 computers and space for a couple of laptops. Northern Buller courses will be running out of the brand new Community Centre in Ngakawau, with 4 computers. The third and final class room has been set up in Westport Salvation Army above the community hall, with 10 computers and space for 5 laptop users. The community has embraced the program and we are excited to get going at the end of February.

Getting Started!

We are currently getting desks and broadband connections set up in Ngakawau and Murchison. We have yet to secure a location in Westport, but hope to have some news on this soon.



Our community launch should be during the first week of February. Please check back soon for more information.

New ICT Facilitator

Welcome Jeannie Bryson to the Computers in Homes team! Jeannie will be working from home and running 3 training centers in the Buller area under the coordination of Cheryl Jackson, ACE Coordinator, from WestREAP in Hokitika. Her first tasks will be to develop the three training sites in Buller by finding locals, furnishing them with desks and ordering the computers. WestREAP has partnered with Buller REAP to offer the Computers in Homes program in the Buller area.