Elenita Reyes and Liezel Gadian were among the recipients of Tech Manitoba’s computer giveaway and basic training program supporting rural schools , immigration services , community centres and First Nation communities across Manitoba.
“Many of us take computers and connectivity for granted, and that isn’t the case for everyone,” Kay Gardiner, CEO at Tech Manitoba emphasized. “The more we move services online, the more people are left behind.
Getting a computer and basic training is a first step to bridging that divide.”
Since the pandemic started, Tech Manitoba has been putting desktop computers into the hands of people left behind because of the digital divide through their DigitALL program. This week, donated desktop computers refurbished by Computers For Schools will be delivered to communities across the province including Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson, Flin Flon, Swan River, the Marcel Colomb First Nation.
Albert Boakye, Community Animator at Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, has been working with the Tech Manitoba team to distribute 30 computers to the Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba.
“The Ethnocultral Council of Manitoba-Stronger Together Inc. is happy to receive these computers from Tech Manitoba,” said Boakye. “They will provide support to families with school aged-children so they can access online educational resources during the pandemic. The computers are also going to help families who were without computers be part of the digital world.”
Along with a free desktop computer, recipients receive a keyboard, monitor, mouse, and a pre-loaded videos on computer basics created by Tech Manitoba to help them set up their computer, learn basic computer skills and get safely online. Tech Manitoba’s DigitALL program aims to increase the overall participation of Canadians in the digital economy and ease the burden of social isolation. This is important work due to the number of Manitobans who do not currently have basic levels of digital literacy.