COMMUNITY PROJECT #407 - KAUMĀTUA DIGITAL INCLUSION NET
Mission Statement:
To eliminate digital isolation and foster intergenerational knowledge transfer by pairing tech-savvy rangatahi with kaumātua to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
The Needs Assessment:
As the "Babylonian" system moves services—banking, health, and communication—entirely online, many of our elders are being left behind. This "Digital Enclosure" creates isolation and anxiety. At the same time, our youth possess high-fidelity digital skills but often lack a structured way to share them with their elders, missing out on vital cultural mentorship.
Core Objectives:
Facilitate 50 successful "Digital Pairing" sessions between youth and elders within the first three months.
Achieve a 90% confidence rating among participating kaumātua in using essential online services (banking, Zoom, MyIR).
Create a "Digital Safety" handbook written in plain language (and Te Reo Māori) specifically for elders.
Establish monthly "Digital Tea" meetups at 3 local marae for ongoing support and socialisation.
Stakeholder Map:
Kaumātua Councils: To identify participants and ensure the project respects kaumātua tikanga.
Local High Schools/Youth Groups: To recruit "Tech Buddies" who want to earn community service credits.
Health Providers: Interested in ensuring elders can access telehealth services.
Local Libraries: Providing safe, neutral spaces with existing internet access for meetups.
The "Impact" Model:
This is a high-value "Social Capital" project. Sustainability is driven by the reciprocal nature of the relationship: youth provide digital literacy, while elders provide "cultural literacy" and storytelling. It requires minimal funding, primarily for refreshments and printed resources, and is powered by the existing "Entanglement" (whanaungatanga) of the community.
Engagement Strategy:
We will use traditional "Kanohi ki te kanohi" (face-to-face) engagement at marae and community centres to reach elders. For the youth, we will use school partnerships and social media incentives, framing the role of "Tech Buddy" as a vital service to the whānau.
Resource Requirements:
A "Digital Safety" toolkit (simple printed guides).
Small budget for "Hākari" (food) during pairing sessions.
Access to tablets or laptops for those who don't yet own one.
Volunteer coordination software or a simple spreadsheet to manage pairings.
Timeline of Action:
Week 1: Meet with Kaumātua and marae committees to gain tautoko (support).
Week 2: Recruit and brief the first 10 "Tech Buddies" from local youth groups.
Week 3: Host the first "Digital Tea" launch event at a central marae.
Week 4: Begin 1-on-1 pairing sessions and distribute the first "Digital Safety" guides.
Mauri Assessment
Te Taiao (Environment): 0 — Neutral impact on the physical environment.
Te Ahurea (Culture): +2 — Strengthens the bond between generations and ensures cultural wisdom is shared during the tech lessons.
Te Tangata (Social): +2 — Directly reduces elder isolation and gives youth a sense of value and connection to their elders.
Te Pūtea (Economic): +1 — Enables elders to manage their finances more efficiently and avoid digital fraud or late fees.
