The programme works via low decile schools, to help families in greatest need to use the internet, email and basic computer skills in their everyday lives, to enhance their performance at school and at work.
“I would recommend the Computers in Homes programme to anyone who wishes to learn how to use a computer or advance existing skills. It has definitely enriched our lives and I no longer feel as if technology is passing us by.” Computers in Homes graduate 5 years on.
How it works
For a cost of $50, families receive free training, a recycled computer, 12 month subsidised Internet connection, and technical support.
Current Projects
In over 13 years of operation, Computers in Homes has already helped connect more than 12,000 families, with projects focused on the areas and schools in greatest need.
CiH Regions
Computers in Homes is currently active in 19 targeted regions. We would love to do more but are limited by funding. Click on the Region name for full regional details:
CiH – Refugee Families
Each year the Ministry of Education funds Computers in Homes for 80 – 100 refugee background families, from communities in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Nelson. This helps them use information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool for learning for their whole family.
Priority is given to families with school aged children who are:
- Recently arrived quota refugees
- Families headed by solo parents
- Families without computers
- Families who own a computer but require training
During the training, refugee background families have access to interpreters/translators, childcare, transport, and family liaison support.
The initiative is a partnership:
- regional training providers deliver the Computers in Homes training, employ family liaison and provide technical support to the families. They are selected by the Ministry of Education for their expertise and capacity in delivering ICT, their community involvement and accessibility to the community being targeted.
- 2020 Trust provides refurbished computers and Internet access, under Ministry contract
- local steering committees oversees the family selection process and the smooth running of the project during delivery. They may be made up of the local MOE Refugee Education Co-ordinator, Refugee Services and other settlement agencies, a representative from the training provider and a community representative from the target community
- Family Liaison Persons: Key to the success of this initiative is the involvement of a person from the target community who will act as a liaison between the training provider and the families.
Sponsors and Supporters
Computers in Homes has supported families in low income communities since 2000. Beginning at Cannons Creek school in Porirua with just 25 families, the programme has grown to over 12,000 families in 14 years. The nature of the Computers in Homes programme means that relies it heavily upon the support of partners and funding.
Stepping UP
Free community training Stepping up provides free, community-based computer and internet training for adults, suitable as a follow up to the Computers in Homes programme. It’s designed for anyone with basic computer knowledge to develop their skills a step further in areas of direct relevance to their work and life.
CiH Project history
Computers in Homes – a history of the first 10 years This section is an extract from ‘Building digital communities: A recent history of the 2020 Communications Trust’ by Laurence Zwimpfer (2020 Contracts Director and ex Trustee and Chair), and originally published in the New Zealand Computer Society’s book ‘Return to Tomorrow – 50 years of computing in New