THE Ballymun Child & Family Resource Centre has launched a CoderDojo programme designed to teach local kids as young as seven the art of computer coding.
The centre is now registered with the CoderDojo Foundation, a global movement teaching children how to code. Coding clubs are known as Dojos and the children who take part are Ninjas.
There are already 21 Ninjas in Ballymun CoderDojo with a waiting list of 10.
Manager of the Family Resource Centre Valerie O’Carroll explained why the programme was launched locally.
“We wanted to give children in Ballymun an edge when it came to second and third level education, even as far as employment in the IT field,” she said.
Ninjas in the local Dojo move through different levels so they can go on to build a website, create an app or a game, and explore technology in an informal, creative and social environment.
CoderDojo is supported by volunteers who kids build a positive future through coding and community.
O’Carroll pointed out how important they were to the Ballymun programme.
“We couldn’t run the Dojo without the commitment and good will of all the volunteers,” she said.
“At present we have nine volunteers supporting the Dojo in Ballymun. Every Saturday they give up their free time to get involved in CoderDojo.”
At the launch, the local Ninjas were presented with T-shirts and Jackets all sponsored by Ballymun4Business.
Centre chairperson, Frank Scalzo, spoke at the event.
“This is a fantastic morning in the Family Resource Centre,” he said. “We have so many children registered in the CoderDojo.”
Ballymun Child & Family Resource Centre wants to thank all of the Ninjas and their families who attended the launch.
“We would also like to thank all our supporters and sponsors,” said O’Carroll. “In particular Balllymun4Business for sponsoring our Ninja T-shirts and jackets, Domino's Finglas for supplying pizzas every week to the Dojo, Dublin City Council for ongoing sponsorship and Child and Family Agency, Tusla, for our laptops.
For more information on the Ballymun CoderDojo contact the Ballymun Child & Family Resource Centre on 01-8527183.
