Eradicating digital poverty in Western Sydney
Eradicating digital poverty in Western Sydney
10 March 2022
(From left) Captain Tara McGuigan, Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, Helen Mouscas (Senior Director, Dell Technologies, Australia and New Zealand) and Melissa Monteiro (CEO, Community Migrant Resource Centre) at the Digital Transformation Project launch. Photos: Peter McGuigan.
In a COVID-19 world, education and technology go hand in hand – but this can be difficult for families who have travelled to Australia as refugees. Now, thanks to a collaboration between The Salvation Army, the Parramatta-based Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) and Dell Technologies, eradicating digital poverty in Western Sydney is one step closer.
Dr Renu Narchal (Associate Dean, Engagement and International, Western Sydney University) gives an impromptu speech on ‘The Power of One’ at the Digital Transformation Project launch. Next to her are Priscella Mabor (Inclusion, Strategy and Innovations Manager, Community Migrant Resource Centre) and Captain Tara McGuigan.
Last Friday, the Digital Poverty Project was launched when 20 families with school students were given a total of $55,000 worth of equipment from Dell Technologies during an event held at the Army’s new centre in Parramatta. This will equip the students to complete their education and open up a future of possibilities as they consider further study.
Major Kylie Collinson, Parramatta Corps Officer, welcomed people from many backgrounds to the launch and brought an Acknowledgement of Country. Lieut-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, Divisional Commander for NSW/ACT, also attended and, in her address, celebrated the camaraderie between the organisations.
“We are better together. The partnerships in this room are incredible, and the effect that this will have is enormous,” Miriam said. “We want everyone in this ‘melting pot’ of the Greater West of Sydney to have the opportunity to flourish. We are in this together, and how good it is!”
Genesis of project
Captain Tara McGuigan came up with the idea for the Digital Poverty Project last year after she encountered an Afghan woman named Ruqia at the CMRC Christmas party being hosted by Parramatta Corps.
Captain Tara McGuigan at the Digital Transformation Project launch with Keiasha Naidoo and Durga Owen.
“I spoke to Ruqia, who arrived in Australia from Afghanistan three years ago. She told me she had three sons in high school, and they didn’t have a computer. They were using a mobile phone to complete their education,” remembers Tara, Relationship Manager for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in NSW.
“My heart broke, and I spoke to her case manager who said, ‘What you’re hearing from one woman is true for a lot of people in that position.”
In pursuit of a computer for the family, Tara initially reached out to The Salvation Army’s Information Technology Department. Inspired by Ruqia’s story, they contacted Dell Technologies. Dell readily offered to lend a hand and agreed to provide $55,000 worth of computers, software, and equipment to families identified by CMRC.
“These are the future leaders of Australia – they are all guaranteed a visa. It would be great to track their stories because children from these migrant families work so hard,” said Tara. “This is about partnerships – even in The Salvation Army, we are crossing departmental silos and boundaries to fulfil our mission, which is to see lives transformed, with the love of Jesus.”
Captain Tara McGuigan tells the story of Ruqia (left) at the launch of the Digital Transformation Project in Parramatta.
Also speaking at the launch were Priscella Mabor from CMRC and Helen Mouscas, a Dell Technologies Senior Director for Australia and New Zealand. “I learned of the Digital Poverty Project while on annual leave,” Helen said, “and contacted our team immediately with the message that we must get involved.”
Helen was interviewed by Major Peter McGuigan, Corps Officer at Sydney Congress Hall, who noted how the three organisations shared a common value – transformation. Responding, Helen outlined how transforming communities was a key driver for Dell, saying ‘yes’ to the Digital Poverty Project.
Helen added that Dell also worked in remote Indigenous communities of Australia, aiming to resource children’s education through solar-powered digital technology.
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