Closing the Digital Divide With TechMate
Cooperation not competition for these digital equity charities
“It’s important that charities aren’t competing in any way.”
DFA’s general manager Bronnie firmly believes that co-operation and partnership are crucial for non-profit, mission-driven organisations—particularly those working in the same space with shared or similar goals.
It’s on this basis that Recycle A Device works closely with TechMate, another charity attempting to close the digital divide and offer affordable access to information and communication technologies in Ōtautahi.
We spoke with Vanessa from TechMate about what they are trying to achieve, how they are doing it, and how the partnership with RAD is helping both organisations.
The story of TechMate
20 years ago, TechMate began as a type of internet café allowing people free access to computers and the internet. Training was a big part of the mission right from the start; many of those who came had never used a computer before.
Since then, the way we access and use the digital world has changed and so has the way TechMate operates. They teach people how to use their devices, offering very targeted lessons as needs can be very specific. The team provides a range of individual and group classes, job seeker services, printing, and access to computers and the internet for those who need it. Additionally, the Skinny Jump modems they offer allow low-income homes to access the internet for a very low cost: just $5/month for 35GB of data on a prepaid basis.
The organisation has recently moved to a new home in the Christchurch Community House, and continues to expand and grow. They have several staff members working either part or full-time to bring digital education to the people, and make magic with a small budget and a lot of goodwill!
TechMate is providing such a crucial service in the region, filling huge gaps in both knowledge and access and contributing to closing the digital divide. It was a no-brainer for RAD to team up with them!
TechMate x RAD: match made in digital charity heaven
Recycle A Device exists to recycle devices (are we surprised?), saving them from landfill, repairing them, and distributing them to those who need them. They also teach rangatahi very useful engineering skills along the way.
One of the challenges faced by RAD is how to distribute recycled devices efficiently and make sure they’re reaching the right people. We partner with an array of community groups to achieve this, and TechMate is perhaps one of our best and most strategic partnerships.
The TechMate model brings them into contact with a very wide range of people needing access to devices alongside education on how to use them: elderly people, students, refugees, those struggling with the cost of living. The RAD-TechMate partnership means that the former can get devices to where they need to be, while the latter can supplement lessons and education with the ability to offer devices where they are sorely needed.
Vanessa also mentioned that they appreciate being able to take laptops that are not yet fixed and use them as teaching tools. They can now train their people to repurpose and fix laptops. This has resulted in a great training scheme for their volunteers and has led some to find jobs in the field. She said:
“We just love what these guys are doing. All of our teams are learning new things and also learning about how to work together.”
Bronnie has more good things to say about the relationship between the two organisations:
“There’s a natural synergy. We know what we do well, and you know what you do well, and when we work together more amazing things can happen… It’s really complementary. The TechMate team is so passionate, and that really comes through. It’s ideal to work with other groups passionate about the same things we are.”
Results
So far, TechMate has distributed more than 200 laptops in the community. The team members have some fantastic stories of the impact this has made alongside their other programs:
One patron was given a laptop which has helped him work with his developmentally delayed daughter. He prints out labels and signs to put around the house and has seen great progress in her learning with this new tool.
Students and their families have mentioned that the donated laptops have meant that they no longer feel the “odd one out” stigma in their BYOD schools.
One senior citizen was fairly digitally capable and therefore became the “go-to” person in their OCHT community. Their laptop died, making it very difficult to do not only their own online tasks but help others with theirs—so receiving a donated device had a larger impact than just that one person.
There are plenty of other stories to demonstrate the good that TechMate has been able to do in partnership with RAD. From refugees to retirees, they have connections and access to a wide array of communities in need of digital upskilling and devices!
This partnership is a well-matched one that’s making significant progress to close the digital divide in Ōtautahi. There’s always more work to be done, however. If you have time, money, or devices to donate to the cause, please get in touch with either the TechMate or Recycle a Device team. If you are in need of a laptop or know somebody who is, you can request a donation here.