"Die Hälfte unserer PCs liefern
wir an Schulen."
(Interview) Gladys Muhunyo arbeitet
für Computer Aid International. Die in Großbritannien
ansässige Organisation verkauft gebrauchte und aufgerüstete
PCs zu einem günstigen Preis an Schulen und soziale Einrichtungen.
Eine Chance für die ärmeren Länder in Ostafrika,
den Anschluss an die Wissensgesellschaft nicht zu verlieren.
Das Interview führte das Team von eLearning Africa. Text
in Englisch.
eLA: What does Computer Aid International do and
what is your role within the organisation?
Gladys Muhunyo: Computer Aid International is a UK-based charity
whose role is to provide professionally refurbished computers
for ICT for Development (ICD4D) in developing countries. My
role in the organisation is to oversee the expanding work
in Africa in conjunction with regional programme officers,
to manage programme tasks, and to coordinate with partners
in western, central, eastern, and southern Africa. In addition
to identifying educational institutions and any not-for-profit
programmes that require professionally refurbished PCs, we
get involved in the sustainability models of beneficiary programmes.
eLA: How many computers have been distributed by CAI
so far?
GM: Computer Aid International has provided over 80,000 PCs
to 105 countries, 75% of which are in Africa. We get Pentium
III and IV computers that have been donated by UK organisations
and charities, which are continuously purchasing newer machines.
While phone access has rapidly increased in the past decade
in the less-developed economies – around a third of
people there have now access to phones – PC ownership
and Internet usage is rising much more slowly. Less than four
percent of the people in Africa use the Internet.
The cost of a PC is often prohibitive for many in the developing
world. The Information Society Report 2006 states that a computer
can cost the equivalent of up to eight years’ income
for an average person in Bangladesh, compared to less than
a month’s salary for the average North American.
CAI provides a solution to this problem by sourcing donations
of PCs from businesses for re-use in developing countries.
eLA: To which countries have the PCs gone?
GM: Approximately half of these PCs have gone to schools,
providing ICT education to more than a million schoolchildren.
We have also provided computers to universities, adult education
centres, and to projects for out-of-school youth. In 2006,
CAI increased its involvement in e-learning projects as e-learning
reaches those who have traditionally found it difficult to
access educational opportunities, such as women with young
families and people living in remote rural areas. Through
our cooperation with Sightsavers International, we have also
send computers that are installed with adaptive technologies,
thus allowing blind and visually impaired users to access
written information or the Internet.
CAI is also working with Africa’s leading health development
organisation, AMREF. In the ACCENTURE funded project, we have
provided AMREF with 600 computers that have been put in hospitals
around Kenya, allowing nurses to take part in an e-learning
course.
CAI has sent computers to each of the 36 weather stations
around Kenya, as well as Meteorological Offices in other countries.
The computers are used to record and analyse weather data
collected by the stations. This speeds up the analysis process,
and the information on weather can be provided to those who
need it, such as farmers, in a short time.
eLA: How does CAI choose the recipients of the donated
computers? Are there any special criteria?
GM: Any not-for-profit organisation or educational institution
is eligible to apply for computers from Computer Aid International.
Applications can be made directly at www.computeraid.org or
through the regional offices. Once approval has been granted,
payment of £39 per PC plus shipping costs to the destination
are required.
eLA: How does CAI ensure that applicants really receive
only useable technology?
GM: Computer Aid only accepts donations of Pentium III and
above. We then completely wipe out any data the machines might
contain, refurbish them, and then check them. Only the best
are released for distribution to developing countries. This
ensures that no unusable equipment leaves London. Any waste
is recycled within Europe.
eLA: What has been your most remarkable experience with working
at CAI so far?
GM: It’s been quite rewarding to attain a large-scale
distribution of professionally refurbished PCs in Africa over
the last two years, but even more positive is the sense of
achievement from seeing the impact these computers have had
on the projects in which they are deployed. In education,
health, meteorology, and agriculture creating solutions that
sustain development not only improves livelihood but creates
a new dimension to existence. Being part of the delivery and
bringing together users with diverse needs is incredible.
The experience of being part of an international organisation
that works to better its partners in bridging the digital
divide is remarkable.
Computer Aid is continuously identifying partners who make
affordable educational and development solutions with professionally
refurbished PCs available. Computer Aid works with NGOs, school-based
networks, women’s organisations, universities and research
institutions, governments, and other implementing agencies.
eLA: Gladys, many thanks for your time.
You can contact Gladys at the Nairobi Computer Aid International
office:
Computer Aid International
4th Floor International House
P.O BOX 1491-00100
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)20 230827
Fax: +254 (0)20 230828
Email: gladys@computeraid.org
For more information, please go to the website www.computeraid.org.
Über Gladys Muhunyo
Gladys Muhunyo ist Afrika Programme Manager für Computer
Aid Interntional. Sie ist zuständig für ein ständig
wachsendes Arbeitsfeld in Eritrea, Äthopien, Sudan, Somalia,
Tanzania, Uganda und Kenia. „Früher habe ich für
Organisationen gearbeitet, die von Computer Aid mit PCs ausgestattet
wurden. So wusste ich, dass diese qualitativ hochwertig sind,“
sagt sie. „Daher war ich sehr erfreut, die Chance zu
bekommen, als Programme Manager für Afrika meinen Teil
zu der Arbeit beizutragen. Wir vertreiben über 80.000
professionell aufgerüstete PCs, was eine enorme praktische
Leistung für eine Non-Profit-Organisation ist. Ich freue
mich darauf, meinen persönlichen Beitrag dafür zu
leisten, dass die Verbreitung günstiger IKT für
Erziehung und soziale Entwicklung in Ostafrika in Zukunft
rasant ansteigen wird.“
Interview zuerst erschienen auf eLearning
Africa. Die Veröffentlichung erfolgt mit freundlicher
Genehmigung.
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