July 18, 2005

Charity re-uses computers for the developing world

Written by brian_turner

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Computers donated from the developed world are both driving and addressing a demand for computers in developing nations.

Computer Aid International refurbishes computers and sends them to developing nations. Many of the computers go to Latin America and Eastern Europe, but 80% are sent to Africa, where a new machine could cost more than a yearâ€™s wages.

The project receives over 2,000 computers a month, many of which might otherwise have been disposed of. The computers are donated from various sources including universities, large corporations, and individuals.

The organisation selects the highest specification machines, which have several more years of life, then tests, cleans and professionally refurbishes them in its London workshop before providing them to organisations overseas.

Computer Aid International now has more computers than it has organisations to distribute them to. It is now trying to identify new organisations in developing countries which can receive and distribute high volumes of computers and also provide training and technical support

The organisation holds up to 1,000 refurbished computers in its warehouse, awaiting distribution. Since is started, over 40,000 second-hand computers have been sent to African nations.

One of Africa’s two main distribution centres is in Nairobi. When the computers reach the distribution centre they are checked again and operating systems are installed. African charities, such as Computers For Schools Kenya, then take over the maintenance of the machines and provide training in their use.

Filed Under Business