Computers In Homes a life-changing experience

Computers In Homes student Verity Shuttleworth, centre, at her graduation with Angela Coleman from The Hub and Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson. Photo/Supplied

Twelve Marton families now own a brand-new computer, thanks to the Computers In Homes programme.

After 20 hours of learning how to do basic word processing, use the internet and send an email, the graduates received their certificates and their new computers at a ceremony at James Cook School on Thursday night.

It was a bittersweet graduation for tutor Angela Coleman from The Hub as government funding for the programme has been withdrawn. This group was the last set of graduates.

"To be honest, we had run out of families who fit the criteria. So the programme wouldn't have kept going for long, anyway - we were only catching families who were new to town."

Ms Coleman said Computers In Homes had helped 68 Marton families, over six years.

Computers In Homes is aimed at empowering parents to become actively involved in their children's learning, as well as increase their own employment opportunities and confidence. The programme supports the government's focus on literacy and numeracy, as computers and the internet are now viewed as basic tools.

Ms Coleman said the criteria for acceptance to the programme was very strict: the family must have a child at a decile one or two school, have a community services card and have never had a computer in their home.

She said many of the students faced challenging circumstances, but increased in confidence during the programme.

"It's a precious thing to see them growing," Ms Coleman said.

One of the graduates, Verity Shuttleworth, described the programme as "completely life-changing".

Ms Shuttleworth is a solo mother on a sickness benefit, who never expected to be able to have a computer in her home.

"I always felt incredibly sad for all of my children not having the same options as all the other kids at school, with homework and all the learning that's possible with a computer," she said.

"Enrolling in this course has been completely life-changing, being taught practical skills every day by Angela, who has the patience of a saint.

"All of the students were completely different - some young, some old, and some who didn't even speak English. She inspired every single one of us to be the best people we can be," Ms Shuttleworth said.