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Campaign for Computer Literacy in Zimbabwe!

Student leaders across Boston are fundraising to buy 150 computers for Zimbabwe children who have none.

Have you ever met a fourth grader who didn’t know how to type or use the internet? The children at 10 rural and underserved schools we support have never used a computer and have no access to 21st century education. This campaign aims to:

• Equip each of the 10 schools with 15 computers. That’s 150 computers!
• Provide each of the schools with tech support to set up the labs (including electricity).
• Facilitate teacher training, so that they can effectively show students how to use the computers.
• BONUS – the computers are recycled and refurbished. No tech waste here!
• BONUS – the computers are pre-loaded with math and literacy learning tools that will help them get on track to academic success.

CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE. VOLUNTEER TODAY!

Join Bantwana’s network of young leaders from Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Wellesley, Bentley, Amherst, Mt. Holyoke and B.U. in organizing fundraisers at their universities. Each school will help raise money on their campus. We must fill our shipping container with 150 computers by December 31st!

You can change a child's future

Today in Zimbabwe, thousands of children are growing up without the chance to “be children” – they are not fed, cared for, or guided because they are busy caring for HIV-affected parents or coping with a parent’s death. These children are at high risk for physical abuse, child labor, sexual exploitation, trauma, and contracting HIV. They are also more likely to drop out of school and less likely to access health care, social support, or legal protection. Many schools are in great need of supplies, infrastructure, and staff to support these children.

Why are we partnering with World Computer Exchange?

World Computer Exchange (WCE) sources repurposed computers from large companies that have upgraded to newer models. We pay a $100 fee to WCE. They use the funds to collect the computers, upgrade and refurbish them, obtain a license from Microsoft, and get to them to a shipping container in Boston. Currently, WCE has a container with 200 computers in it, but it can’t depart for Zimbabwe until it is full! We need 150 more computers to send the container off and deliver the computers. WCE has secured private funding to ship the computers to Zimbabwe.

What happens after the computers arrive at the school?

Once the computers arrive, WCE will send community-based trainers to set up 15 computers in 10 schools and provide computer training to students and teachers.

How is the Government of Zimbabwe involved?

Computers will also be loaded with education, health, and child protection and rights materials, which will enable children to learn more about what they should do to protect themselves and educate them on the rights they have as children. The government will also provide the electricity needed to run the computers.

What else can you do to make a computer a reality for a school boy or girl in Zimbabwe?

Are you celebrating your birthday? Getting married? Running a marathon? Ask your loved ones to show support by donating to this effort. Ask 10 friends to donate $10—that equals $100, or one computer. You can donate online to support computer literacy. And don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook!

Download the Campaign for Computer Literacy in Zimbabwe flier here.