![\"\"](\"https:\/\/socialink.org.nz\/legacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Heather-Chromebooks-275x300.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/socialink.org.nz\/legacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Kelsey-Chromebooks-225x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Families in need throughout the western Bay of Plenty are getting their children online for school, thanks to 50 Chromebooks funded by a group of funders.<\/p>\n
The 50 laptops for families in need have been funded by Western Bay of Plenty\u2019s Covid-19 Recovery Fund, established by local funders TECT, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust and Tauranga City Council.
\nThe collaborative initiative also involves local businesses and community groups, with SociaLink, the umbrella organisation for social agencies and charities, overseeing the project and distributing devices through its social service providers.
\nTrustpower has donated 50 free 12-month internet connections so wh\u0101nau can afford internet access. Kanorau Digital provides Chromebook tutoring at family homes.
\nKelsey\u2019s* family of five struggled to participate in online learning since they didn\u2019t have a reliable device. She\u2019d spent $2000 on a device for her 15 year old when he was at Intermediate, but now he\u2019s in Year 11 it needs replacing.
\nThe others, aged five to 10, not far behind so the device provided through Families Achieving Balance has been a lifesaver.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s just so difficult to afford what the children need, and there\u2019s pressure from the children and their teachers. The 10 year old now needs to bring a device to school but there\u2019s $200 in uniforms, stationery, school trips – there\u2019s barely enough for groceries.\u201d
\nShe says the children were all excited when the Chromebook was delivered. They needed internet access for homework and her \u201cextremely old\u201d laptop couldn\u2019t keep up. The family lives in the country just outside Tauranga, where reception can be patchy, and Kylie isn\u2019t able to work after an accident.
\n\u201cEverything is digital now. The children know they have to share it for homework and it\u2019s not for one child. The oldest is battling on with his old laptop.\u201d
\nHeather is homeschooling, with her two grandchildren, Raelynne (2) and Sharmain (5) in P\u0101p\u0101moa. She says the Chromebook has been essential to access the resources Sharmain needs, and has also helped Raelynne, who has been slow to speak.
\n\u201cI have a little iPad, but it\u2019s not enough for school work. It didn\u2019t take long to set it up and now Sharmain is ripping ahead.
\n\u201cShe does writing as well, so that\u2019s when Raelynne gets her chance to use the Chromebook and it\u2019s made such a difference to her speech. I don\u2019t get a look-in.\u201d
\nSociaLink General Manager Liz Davies says the Covid lockdown accentuated the digital divide.
\n\u201cGiven the need to be able to access services, education, working from home and connecting with loved ones digitally, not having a device or internet connection puts many people at a disadvantage.
\n\u201cFor this reason SociaLink applied for funding to help those on low incomes to connect, learn and work,\u201d she says.
\n*not her real name.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Families in need throughout the western Bay of Plenty are getting their children online for school, thanks to 50 Chromebooks funded by a group of funders. The 50 laptops for families in need have been funded by Western Bay of Plenty\u2019s Covid-19 Recovery Fund, established by local funders TECT, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust and Tauranga City […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"resource_type":[],"class_list":["post-56890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-other"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n