Huntly kids get computers thanks to donation

Huntly kids get computers thanks to $25,000 donation from CA

Wellington, 20 November 2006 – Next year children from about 18 Huntly families will have something many other kids take for granted – a home PC – thanks to a $25,000 donation from CA, one of the world’s largest management software companies.

CA’s donation will be used to provide recycled computers, training and support to the families of children at Huntly Primary School, a decile one school in the Waikato town. CA will provide a 12-month licence of its Internet Security Suite so each PC is protected against computer viruses and spyware. Families also receive six months’ free Internet access.

CA’s donation will be administered by Computers in Homes, a scheme run by the 2020 Communications Trust, which provides access to information and communication technology for disadvantaged community groups and individuals.

Huntly Primary School Principal Alex Watson said, “It’s hard for well-off New Zealanders to imagine how limiting it is not to have computer or Internet access at home. This donation will bring 18 families up to a level that most other kids take for granted. It will bridge the digital divide.”

CA New Zealand Country Manager Stuart Preston said the sponsorship reflected the type of community involvement CA participates in worldwide. “CA is a global computer software company but we have a commitment to work locally to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work. Worldwide we are focusing on improving education by providing technology for children and young people.

“We are doing a lot of work in the education sector in New Zealand and when we heard about the Computers in Homes programme we were keen to get involved. We’re very pleased to be partnering with the 2020 Communications Trust to help more New Zealand children gain the educational benefits a home PC and Internet access can deliver.”

Mr Preston said he was delighted CA could provide something of real benefit to disadvantaged New Zealand families through a well-established and well-run community organisation.

Computers in Homes National Co-ordinator Di Das said, “Computer training and technical support is an important aspect of the Computers in Homes scheme. Training is provided for parents and workstations put into the school with six months’ technical support so they can learn how to get the most out of the computer and also how to look after it.”

ENDS

About CA
CA (NYSE:CA), one of the world's largest management software companies, delivers software and services across operations, security, storage, life cycle and service management to optimise the performance, reliability and efficiency of enterprise IT environments. Founded in 1976, CA is headquartered in Islandia, NY, and serves customers in more than 140 countries. CA is the Principal Partner of the CA Brumbies. For more information, please visit http://www.ca.com.

About Computers in Homes
Computers In Homes (CIH) was initiated in 2000 by the 2020 Communications Trust, to make recycled computers available to families unable to buy one for themselves. Since then, the scheme has expanded rapidly, and has now seen 1500 families in over 70 locations achieve ICT literacy - through free training in their school communities, and a PC and internet connection in their own homes.
http://www.computersinhomes.org.nz http://www.2020.org.nz

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