Computer Aid International, the worlds largest non-profit supplier of professionally refurbished PCs for schools in developing countries, announced today that it has reached a landmark milestone by refurbishing and shipping its 50,000th PC. To celebrate the milestone the Kenyan High Commissioner visited Computer Aid Internationals headquarters today in Islington, North London to accept the PC on behalf of Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK).
Donations from UK organisations have helped Computer Aid International and CFSK deploy more than 1,500 PCs in 150 schools throughout Kenya in the last year. The partnership also provides teachers with the necessary training and technical support to ensure that PCs are used productively and are sustainable for at least four years. After reaching the 50,000 PCs milestone in just seven years, Computer Aid International plans to build on the success by shipping a further 20,000 PCs by December 2005.
Reaching the milestone of 50,000 donated PCs is an amazing achievement. The PCs donated by UK organisations are helping the children of Kenya learn new IT based skills which will in turn will benefit the countrys future economy. Many of the schools which benefit from PC donations would not have been able to afford IT equipment without Computer Aid Internationals help, said the Kenyan High Commissioner.
As part of its ongoing partnership with CFSK, Computer Aid International has also arranged for Anthony St George, one of its long-term volunteers, to spend the next twelve months helping train technicians at CFSKs main workshop in Nairobi. Anthonys role will also include travelling to other CFSKs sites across Kenya to help local technicians support schools in some of Kenyas most remote areas.
We are committed to helping Kenya reach its target of 70% of secondary schools being Internet enabled by 2008. The generosity of our ever expanding donor base, which includes British Airways and Cap Gemini has allowed us to reach the 50,000 milestone incredibly quickly. We feel with the continuing support of UK organisations, we can reach future milestones and help bridge the digital divide, commented Tony Roberts, Chief Executive and Founder of Computer Aid International.
Every year more than 125,000 tonnes of IT equipment including 1.5 million PCs are decommissioned in the UK. The introduction of the forthcoming Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive will force companies and individuals to rethink PC disposal strategies. Partnering with Computer Aid International not only provides organisations with WEEE compliance, but can also add additional value to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Through simply donating these unwanted PCs, Computer Aid International can provide children in the developing world with 20 quality Pentium machines for the cost of buying just one new one.
If you are interested in donating equipment click the banner on the itrportal homepage.
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