NZCT Funds $25,000 Digital Literacy Boost for Porirua Schools!

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a $25,000 grant to Te Mana O Kupe Trust enabling them to continue helping equip Porirua whanau with the digital tools they need for their children to succeed academically.

Thanks to Te Mana O Kupe Trust, using and owning a Chromebook is now a safe, secure, and dignified option open to all parents whose tamariki attend schools in Porirua and want to make a vital investment in their children’s education.

Chairperson Michele Whiting emphasises, “Our aim is to improve educational outcomes and whānau engagement through digital technology. We strive to close the digital divide by helping families afford Chromebooks for their children aged 8-15. Our approach includes micro-financing options and partnerships for affordable internet access. Since 2014, we’ve sold over 4,000 Chromebooks.”

The initiative allows students in participating schools to take their Chromebooks home, bridging the gap between home and school learning “We used to have to go to the library for help, but now getting homework done is much easier with his own Chromebook,” says a school parent. A grandparent adds, “My grandson’s Chromebook has helped him showcase his passion for coding. He’s even teaching us how to code at home.”

NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing, and Communications Ben Hodges adds, “Providing children with the digital tools they need helps create a level playing field in education, giving every child in Porirua an equal opportunity to thrive in school and life. NZCT is grateful for the responsible gaming fundraising partnerships we share with the Mariner and The Sandbar that made our grant possible.”