Moko Foundation creates learning hub
The Moko Foundation has received $300,000 from the Vodafone Foundation to help connect rural communities with the world through digital technology, and support families of vulnerable young people.
The Moko Foundation was selected by the Vodafone Foundation as the 2017 Extension Partnership grant recipient. It will receive $300,000 over three years, and on-going support.
The charitable trust plans to take a mobile innovation hub into five Far North communities on a weekly basis.
Moko Foundation general manager Deidre Otene says from May, the digital classroom on wheels will see staff offer tuition to 12-25 year-olds.
‘‘It will provide free tutorial in numeracy and literacy and introduction and learning around coding, software and development. It’s a great opportunity to connect rural communities with the world through digital technology.
‘‘Our initial goal is to engage with young people and provide them with a positive environment and then to increase our numeracy and literacy levels across the Far North while connecting young people digitally to the world.
‘‘It’s a small step towards larger opportunities that we look to create for the Far North.’’
Vodafone spokesperson Antony Welton says the Moko Foundation’s aspiration to connect young people in the Far North with opportunities throughout the world resonated strongly.
‘‘We want all young people to have educational opportunities irrespective of where they live in New Zealand,’’ he says.
The Moko Foundation was established in response to the generosity of Kiwis who have supported the work of Dr Lance O’Sullivan. The mobile hub will also provide health support through the i-Moko app.
‘‘It provides another option for families in terms of the time, expense and ability to get their young people to the doctor when they may not have that,’’ Otene says.
‘‘I think the programme is going to be positively received.’’