26 August 2016

Generous donation to Digits Programme

At least 53 Highbury families will soon benefit from a $20,000 donation made to the recently launched DIGITS programme. Palmerston North based Olive Tree Trust generously responded to an application for funds from Te Aroha Noa Community Services which will enable the purchase of 53 Chromebook computers.

"It is incredible to have a local Trust that is so committed to ensuring the whole community in Highbury is online and connected digitally,” says Te Aroha Noa Community Services CEO Bruce Maden. “By donating $20,000, the Olive Tree Trust has enabled us to make a substantial step forward towards achieving this goal. We are immensely encouraged by this huge statement of faith in our ability to deliver this and it has boosted our belief we can achieve our target of $90,000”

The DIGITS programme was launched in Highbury in March, after a pilot scheme was run through Roslyn School last year. The programme has a mission to provide devices, internet connections and digital literacy tuition to 1,000 households with school-aged children in Palmerston North by 2018.

Palmerston North City Council’s digital citizenship coordinator Bronwyn Meads says the families receiving the computers will benefit from developing their numeracy, literacy and confidence in learning, through having a computer they can use at school and home.

“We look forward to seeing how much the families benefit from their generous donation,” says Ms Meads. “Volunteer tutors will work with the families through an eight module programme - so it is not just the children who will benefit from having a computer in the home.”

The families commit to a weekly payment over two years to assist with the cost of ensuring internet services are also provided.

The Highbury project still needs community support specifically to raise funds for internet connections; therefore the project is still several months away from starting. Any amount of assistance is appreciated. A Givealittle page is set up: givealittle.co.nz/profile/group/digits/giving for any further donations.

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