For Computers in Homes – 100,000 challenge. The 2020 Communications Trust is a registered Charitable Trust established in 1996, initially to fulfill a variety of digital literacy projects and obligations set out under the Wellington City Council’s InfoCity project.

Since then, the Trust’s reach has expanded nationally via a number of initiatives – each has a focus on empowering people to use ICT as a pathway to engage more fully in the communities. The programme works via low decile schools, to help families in greatest need to use the internet, email and basic computer skills in their everyday lives, to enhance their performance at school and at work.

‘Computers in Homes’ is an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust with support from the Ministry of Education and Department of Internal Affairs. The Trust continually seeks to expand Computers in Homes to all communities where children do not have access to computers and the Internet in their homes.

Since the programme started in 2000 it has supported over 5,000 New Zealand families nationwide with refurbished computers, six months of free internet access, computer training and technical support via their local school. Newly arrived refugee families receive 12 months internet, interpreters, transport and family visitors in recognition of their need for extra support.

There are still an estimated 100,000 New Zealand families with school-aged children who do not have a computer and the Internet at home. In 2009 Computers in Homes launched the ’100,000 Challenge’ which aims to connect the remaining families without a computer in their homes and encourage digital literacy and competence.

“The announcement in the Government’s 2010 budget for 1000 families a year to 2013 has boosted our challenge by allowing us to reach a further 3000 New Zealand families. We applaud the Government for this funding so we can support communities in need to improve their digital literacy and raise their aspirations,” says Di Das, National Coordinator CIH, “New areas we can now expand into are Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Opotiki, Ruapehu/King Country and Wairarapa. Our team is eager to begin the rollout immediately.”