Bridging the Digital Divide

A Salvation Army initiative is helping to bridge a ‘digital divide’ by buying Chromebooks for students in schools and kura on the East Coast of New Zealand. ‘The digital divide is a hot topic, and the divide is growing wider,’ says Gina Marshall, who procures IT/digital hardware and software for The Salvation Army. Corps officer at Gisborne Corps, Captain Jenny Ratana-Koia, says, ‘Over the past two years, we have been able to support school communities with a variety of things ranging from firewood for the whānau (family), to track pants, warm jackets and socks for a school.’ One kura that’s benefitted from the gift of 10 Chromebooks is Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School, located in Te Araroa, about 175km north of Gisborne. In total, 35 Chromebooks have been gifted to schools this year.

For the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz