IBLF's Digital Partnership has been working with corporate partners, international donors and other partners to place thousands of high-quality, pre-used computers to community projects worldwide.

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia’s first Computer Refurbishment and Training Centre (CRTC) was established in February 2010 by the Digital Partnership in conjunction with the MoCIT (Ministry of Communication and Information Technology), to provide a sustainable, integrated approach to meeting the technology, training and capacity building needs of the country.

Through the provision of high quality, affordable technology, the CRTC supports the move towards the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) assisted development of health, community, education and rural extension services throughout Ethiopia. Over 8,000 computers have been donated to date.

As the first Microsoft Refurbisher in Ethiopia, pre-used donated computers are professionally tested, cleaned and loaded with licensed software in a high-tech environment. The computers are then deployed on a cost recovery basis, with the CRTC offering support and ensuring eligible recipients are able to provide a secure environment for the safe and sustainable use of ICT.

As the primary focus is knowledge sharing, skill development and capacity building, the CRTC is also a learning organisation providing hands-on practical ICT and business skills training to help shape the ICT support staff of the future.

Efforts to bridge the digital divide can be both environmentally and socially sound, only if supported by a legitimate end-of-life solution.

The project has therefore also established a de-manufacturing facility, where ICT equipment is handled in an environmentally sound manner in accordance with international guidelines for the disposal of electronic waste. The facility will help prevent the release of harmful substances into the environment through improper disposal in landfill sites or uncontrolled incineration.

Humphrey Barclay, Friends of Tafo

Kwahu-Tafo, a small rural town in the northwest of Ghana has been transformed following the donation of 400 computers.

Following the establishment of computer rooms in all Senior Secondary Schools, school attendance increased and children come from other towns to learn ICT skills. The computerisation of Kwahu-Tafo has also been instrumental in its selection as the site for the government's district ICT centre within the next two years.

Digital Partnership worked with Friends of Tafo, an organisation that aims to empower as well as help the people of Kwahu-Tafo via responsible giving that generates capacity for self-development in education, health, employment and infrastructure. Digital Partnership is currently working on the next phase of the project – to provide computers for each of the Junior Secondary Schools in the town.

In line with the Digital Partnership mission to bring affordable access to ICT for education and enterprise, the programme helped establish a computer equipped learning lab at WHEDCo, the New York City based Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation located in the Bronx.

WHEDCo is dedicated to alleviating poverty by providing people with the tools and support they need to enter and succeed in the economic mainstream. At a time when the gap between rich and poor is greater than ever, WHEDCo narrows the divide by developing beautiful, award-winning housing and uniquely integrated programs in the areas of childcare, education, job training, and small business development.

In collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, ITExpeditors and Timberland, the learning lab was set up to teach computer skills to the participants of WHEDCo initiatives including job training, family day care micro-enterprise development and the after school programs.

50 high quality, pre-used computers were donated by Standard Chartered Bank and fully refurbished by ITExpeditors, a company dedicated to capturing the hidden value in obsolete IT equipment. The Timberland Company provided the time and talents of its IT Department to set up and network the learning lab.

The WHEDCo learning lab plays an important part in the efforts to provide effective support to vulnerable people, from single mothers to new immigrants, enabling them to succeed economically and to raise healthy children.


129 PCs and 17 monitors have been donated to PBSP – Philippines Business for Social Progress. PBSP is a corporate led foundation dedicated to the promotion of business sector involvement in social development.

The PCs were sent to one of PBSP’s priority areas in the South, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and are being used to support computer literacy classes for teachers and students in public schools.


305 Pcs and 70 monitors have been donated to ICIP - The International Centre for Islam and Pluralism. ICIP was established in Jakarta in July 2003, after one year of preparation and dialogue. Participants in the dialogue process included intellectuals and specialists on Islam and pluralism, from Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Philippines.

The principal goal of ICIP is to build a network of Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and progressive-moderate Muslim activists and intellectuals, in South-East Asia, and eventually around the globe.


23 computers have been donated to Mildmay International Jajja’s Home. Specialist day care is provided for over 100 children aged upto 17. Services include medical and nursing care, nutrition, physiotherapy, counselling, play therapy and education.


150 PCs and 12 laptops were donated to the First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, for her Community Initiative (MMCI). MMCI is committed improving education standards in Zambia, working towards achieving education for all. They have arranged the loading of Microsoft Windows, in conjunction with SCB, and will then arrange donation to a number of schools throughout Zambia.