Using technology wasn’t anything new for Adrian; however, before joining the program he had a hard time having access to a computer for classes. “With the new Chromebook I received from ComKids, I’m able to bring it to school to do work; it’s smaller and fits in my bag, so I can access technology anywhere”. Now, if Adrian has online assignments, he can use his Chromebook and if it is not online, he can take notes to do research.
Adrian really enjoy attending the lunchtime “Lead & Learn” sessions during the Program. There they learn how to upload photos, videos, navigate the web safely and effectively, and much more. The purpose of those sessions is to build engagement with the students and foundational digital literacy skills. The time spent learning, playing games, discussing new ideas and becoming more aware about cyber safety makes time special for the student.
After finishing his studies, Adrian wants to work for a technical repair shop as he loves working with machines and likes to fix computers.
Your support of the ComKids program bridges the digital divide and helps students reach their potential.
Caroline likes to socialize and meet new people. When she joined ComKids, she realized that it’s more than just receiving a computer and learning digital skills; it’s also interacting with other Program partners and participants. “You get new computers and you get to know how to use them, while making friends and getting to know others.”
During their “Lead & Learn” sessions, students were able to learn about technology, key digital literacy skills, and fundraise for a good cause.
One of the components of the Program is the assignment where the students can use their imagination and creativity, while feeling free to write about different topics provided. For Caroline, who loves animals, being a veterinarian is something that she is considering when she grows up. For that reason, animals were one of the subjects she mentioned in her assignment.
Nowadays, technology helps students develop their curiosity by learning new subjects. Now more than ever, it is more important to have access as it is crucial for learning, homework and projects. For Caroline, having a Chromebook changed the way of studying and researching. “It’s helped me a lot and helps me to complete work at home.”
Your generosity assists students like Caroline to reach their future goals.
Frank has always been interested in computers and programming. With a love for science and technology, one of his goals in the future is to become a computer engineer. Before joining the ComKids program, he had limited access to technology. At home, he needed to share the only computer with his family which would cause him to lose time to complete his work.
Fortunately, now with his new Chromebook, Frank has technology at his fingertips. He loves to research, explore, develop analytical skills and can do his homework now at any time. “If I get homework, I can go home, turn on the computer, get it done faster and save my work.”
During Frank’s “Lead & Learn” sessions, he enjoyed learning new skills and engaging with the Program facilitators and other students in meaningful conversations.
In a world that is constantly changing, technology has a strong presence in everyday life. Being able to take part in this Program will help students receive access to information, develop new ways of learning, meet new people and support their future goals.
The use of technology nowadays allows us to have information at our fingertips in the blink of an eye. For Leanna, it was a little more difficult not having access to a computer at home before the Program. “I had a broken computer, and the only access to technology was my phone, which was hard to use for school.” Fortunately, she was able to participate in the ComKids program, and now she can use her Chromebook to do her homework and finish her school projects.
As soon as the students join the Program, they take part in “Lead & Learn” sessions. Through her interactions with others participating in the Program at her school, Leanna was able to build a closer bond with her peers and Program facilitators. “They were very nice and funny, and very helpful.”
Leanna’s caring heart and personable character helped her choose a dream career path for herself early on. After finishing high school, Leanna would like to continue into her post-secondary studies and become a doctor in the future. Having access to technology will now allow her to research more as she prepares for a career in healthcare, complete her work with high-quality, and become a tech-savvy individual to support her future studies.
For Matheebikaa, getting a new laptop to complete her assignments was a memorable and exciting experience. It was the first laptop in her household. Before that, she usually used her phone for her school projects. “Receiving this new laptop from the Program takes away all the stress, now I can go home to do my work instead of spending time commuting to the library.”
When she got selected for the ComKids program, she didn’t know what to expect. During her “Lead & Learn” sessions with her fellow participants at her school, she was happy with how comfortable she felt with others facilitating the Program. “I felt like I can talk to them a lot. She told us what we are not supposed to do on internet. She was very nice and explained clearly.”
More and more schools are using technology on a daily basis and for students, access is so important. As a lot of education and curriculum turn toward using digital platforms, it is important to equip students with as many resources as possible to ensure their success.
Matheebikaa grew up among family working in the healthcare industry. With her mom as a hardworking nurse and her close cousin and mentor being a doctor, she always felt encouraged by their pursuits. Learning more about the field growing up from them, she feels passionate for medicine and wants to be a doctor in the future as well. “Thank you ComKids for this opportunity and providing me this tool for my learning, I appreciate it so much.”