Monday, November 17, 2014

WOW, WAIKOWHAI SCHOOL!



"The mahi is done!  We're ready to take our computer home!"
Waikowhai School is tucked away in a picturesque corner of Mt Roskill Ten whanau celebrated their 'student' graduating on the 3 November 2014, a lovely Tuesday evening, I might add.

In attendance was Principal Germaine Petersen, BOT Chairperson Michael Wood and Trainer Matt Riceman.  Also in attendance were LOTS of whanau!  How awesome to see them awhi their mums and dad with haka and LOUD rounds of applause.

This graduation shares what many of our Computers In Homes graduates from all over NZ share - an appreciation for great trainers, an appreciation for the new bonds between students and they always confess who the cheeky ones are!

Thank you Waikowhai for enjoying your training so much that you want to do more!  Thank you for celebrating your parents success.  Well done! 

Principal Germaine Petersen offering warm words before the supper and the cutting of the graduation cake.



Principal Germaine, Trainer Matt Riceman and
BOT Chairperson Michael Wood

Graduates Corner: Tote Hemehema




Bayley, Tote and Rhythm Hemehema

Before becoming involved in the Computers in Homes Programme, I must admit, I was a little sceptical. It’s not every day that an amazing opportunity is offered to you. However, upon reflection, it was one of the best decisions I made filling out that application form.

My name is Tote, I am a single parent of two gifted strong children, whom I have always called my cookie monstaz. My daughter Baylie is 14yrs, attends Massey High School and my son Rhythm, is 9yrs, attends Lincoln Heights School in Massey and it was through his school, that we became part of the Computers in Homes Family.

I work as a NZ Sign Language Interpreter and with my job and being so involved in the Deaf Community, I need to have access to the Internet and skype in order to maintain easier contact with everything technical for work and also with Deaf. It can be extremely hard to rely on face to face contact with the Deaf Community, skype makes life so much easier when life is hard enough trying to juggle everything, especially as a single parent. Being an Interpreter is not just my job, its my lifestyle - and what better way to give back than being able to share my voice and my gift of hearing with the Deaf World on a daily basis.

I was blessed with a webcam from Cara on Graduation night. Having a computer at home with access to the internet has enabled me to do my job better, maintain contact with the Deaf Community, allows my monstaz the opportunity to learn more online but has also reawakened their pasison for learning. They ask more questions, they want to know more, they want to excel in school and they’re hungry for knowledge, and knowledge is power. The most amazing part of this journey is that we have been able to spend more quality time together!

Absolutely anything is possible if you believe. I believe it, my monstaz believe it and I will continue encouraging others to believe. I also believe in Computers in Homes. Their organisation has the power to educate families via the internet from home. This not only opens our lives to a world of opportunities with new eyes, it encourages family bonds, the sharing of idea’s, the hunger for learning and the gift of being able to give back.

It’s been an amazing journey with Computers in Homes and I give my sincere thanks and appreciation to Cara and her Team, who on a daily basis, share their magic by showing the world, that ANYTHING, is indeed possible.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

THE LATEST OF THE LATEST NEWS!

GRADUATIONS GALORE!

Where do I begin?!

Extra funding
Auckland received an early Christmas present in the latter part of 2013 of additional funding to help MORE whanau train and become the proud owners of a computer.  How many whanau you say?  An extra 75 whanau!  Overall Auckland has graduated 200 plus extra whanau for the year 2013-14.  No mean feat but we have a long way to go.

Koru School
The first graduation to kick off our July rush was the very musical Koru School.  Music permeated almost every aspect of the graduation from the entrance to the final wave as the last computer headed off to its new residence.  Our guest for the evening was Deputy Leader of the NZ First Party, Tracey Martin.  Our introductions were via theme tunes played for us.  I had 'Best of My Love' and Tracey had 'Got To Be Real'.  (If you click the titles - you can relive those musical moments with us.)   I must brag about the Koru School Band - their rendition of 'Proud Mary' was foot stomping good stuff.  I love that so many of the tamariki had an item to share to celebrate mum and dad's success.

Congratulations Koru School Graduates

Celebrating with NZ /First MP Tracey Martin


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

GRADUATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS

Proud graduate and BFF support - Pomaria School

What a rush as the rest of our projects graduated and whanau gathered excitedly to share in the success of each student.  Our trainers were widely acknowledged for their efforts and above all their patience in ensuring that all of our participants met the project requirements - sometimes it's just not that easy BUT congratulations to our whanau on persevering.  Thank you to our trainers:  Fea Lyons and Kathryn Eltringham (Avondale Intermediate), Dorothy Stewart (Birdwood School and Lincoln Heights), Jacqui Edwards (Pomaria School) and Maria Orr (Royal Road School).  


Avondale Intermediate




Sharing a thumbs up with trainer Maria Orr - Royal Road School


Proud whanau of Mary Theresa Kershaw - Avondale Intermediate