Computer Clubhouse is showcased at NZ Embassy in Washington

Ambassador and Mrs. Michael Moore hosted a reception for some of the developers of the Computer Clubhouse New Zealand and Pacific. The Computer Clubhouse concept was developed in the US to allow youth age 10-18 from disadvantaged communities an opportunity outside the classroom to use high technology tools for collaborative creative projects. There are currently 6 locations in New Zealand with plans for a mobile Clubhouse for Christchurch to serve the many libraries, schools, and community centers whose resources were destroyed in the earthquake. The embassy program was opened by Professor Graham Hingangoaroa Smith from Whakatane’s indigenous university who emphasized that any social and economic revolution depends on an educational revolution. Sam Chapman from Manakau City invited young people from the nearby Fairfax, Virginia clubhouse to demonstrate some of their projects. Mike Usmar, who directs the Computer Clubhouse charitable trust in Auckland, described plans for future development of clubhouses across the Pacific region in collaboration with non-profit partners in Hawaii and Fiji.

Ambassador Michael Moore and Michael Usma of Computer Club of New Zealand and Pacific

Sam Chapman and youth from Fairfax, Virginia

Prof Graham Smith invoked a blessing on the New Zealand Computer Club endeavor

ENDS

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