CIH Manawatu Horowhenua: August 2012

Te Aroha Noa deliver CIH through new adult learning centre

I met Bruce Madden (CEO) earlier this year and came away very inspired! Bruce has been working in Highbury to improve life and social outcomes for whanau for over 20 years, and his commitment and passion is unwavering.

Te Aroha Noa offer a wide range of services to their community, including an early childhood centre and social work services.

Bruce, his team and I met to discuss the most recent addition to Te Aroha Noa, an adult learning centre. One of the three learning streams proposed is ICT, which provided an opportunity to explore how we could bring CIH to their community.

It was decided we would approach parents connected to their early childhood centre, initially to gauge interest. Marion Hales who is Te Aroha Noa administrator extraordinaire, is also a CIH graduate. This was most fortunate as she could talk to staff and whanau interested in the participating about the programme.

Very quickly we had a list of more than 20 whanau wanting to participate, and with only 15 places. The list continued to grow and thankfully we were able to pick up an additional 10 places from the CIH national pool. The CIH team included the tutors Dan Chick and Dale Hunter, who contributed largely to the success of the programme.

A total of 23 whanau graduated on the 8th August, which was a very moving and motivating event. Local MP Iain Lees-Galloway and Palmerston North City Councillor Jan Barnett were there to present certificates to the graduates, who brought whanau along to celebrate their achievement. One of the graduates courageously shared her personal story and the difference participating in the programme had personally for her. With her permission I will publish that at a later stage.

We are in discussions with Bruce and the team about the possibility of Te Aroha Noa now becoming a Stepping UP centre and being able to offer graduates in the region additional digital steps. This is very exciting as it will be the first in the area, so watch this space!

Iain Lees-Galloway (MP) & Jan Barnett (PNCC) presenting certificates

Tutor Dale Hunter handing over a PC

Graduates & company posing for local media

Dale & Dan tutors extraordinaire

Bruce Madden (CEO) & Sarah Lee (CIH Regional Coordinator)

Tutors, Jan, Iain, Sarah, Di Daniels (CIH National Coord) with Teresa (front centre) who shared her story

Iain & Jan presenting certificates

Monrad Intermediate families celebrate

Monrad Intermediate School acknowledged another 13 Computers in Homes graduates from their school community in a very moving graduation ceremony on the 7th June.

This is the second successful intake delivered through Monrad Intermediate, fully backed by the Acting DP Jon Clark. Jon also sits on our Steering Group and is one of our local CIH champions.

Chantelle Tawha was one of Monrad's graduates in 2011. We were very blessed that she applied for the tutor's role. Jon was so impressed with her passion and enthusiasm in the initial interview, she was appointed the same day! Chantelle lead the group with grace and confidence, having been through the programme she could relate to participants journey is a special way.

Local MP Iain Lees-Galloway (Labour) accepted our invitation to present the participants with their certificates. A powerpoint designed by the participants documenting their learning journey, added a personal touch to this memorable evening.

Chantelle (far right) with her graduates

Sarah Lee, Jon Clark & Iain Lees-Galloway at the graduation (from right to left)

Robin Murray (FMS Tech) meeting some of the graduates

St Joseph's first school in Levin to graduate

The Principal at St Joseph's School in Levin Stasia Kennedy, advocated strongly for their school to have the programme implemented for their families. Kerin Sachdeva who is the school's Librarian, stepped into the tutor's role with great enthusiasm. It was a real pleasure to work alongside these two wonderful woman on my very first school since coming onto the Computers In Homes team.

Kerin's enthusiasm went viral and very quickly the school had 22 families committed to completing the programme. A training pod was set up in one of their classrooms, and the 10 week training for the families commenced.

All 22 families graduated on the 31st of May at a very fitting celebration. Following a shared kai with whanau and staff, Kaumatua from the local Iwi Muaupoko opened the ceremony. The special guest of honour who presented participants with their certificates, was Brother Pat Lynch FSC, who is the NZ Catholic Education Office CEO. He was really impressed with the event and the kaupapa of the programme, he could see it would make a real difference for families.