After providing over 50,000 high quality refurbished computers, the UK not-for-profit Computer Aid International has now put down roots by opening a permanent office in Nairobi. Computer Aid International is a member of the APC.
Gladys Muhunyo (photo above), the not-for-profit organisation’s newly appointed East Africa Programme Officer will head up the new office and oversee an expanding programme of work in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda as well as Kenya.
"Establishing the office demonstrates the not-for-profit organisation’s commitment to expanding provision professionally refurbished PCs (personal computers) to the region," said a statement released by the NGO (non-government organisation).
“Having previously worked for organisations that received PCs from Computer Aid I knew that they were of the highest quality available”, commented Gladys Muhunyo, “so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to contribute as a full-time member of staff. "
Muhunyo added, "The provision of over 50,000 professionally refurbished PCs is a remarkable practical achievement for a not-for-profit organisation and I look forward to contributing personally to dramatically increasing the application of affordable ICTs in education and social development across East Africa”. "
This year, 2005 looks promising for the NGO. Computer Aid International said the permanent base in East Africa would allow the organisation to dramatically extend its provision in the region and significantly increase the level and quality of effective support on-the-ground for ICT in education, training and sustainable development.
“Key to this expansion was the need to locate support closer to our partners. With the help of Ms. Muhunyo, Computer Aid International will be able to work more closely with new and existing organisations to ensure a constant stream of professionally refurbished PCs are provided where they are most needed,“ said Computer Aid International’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Roberts.
The expansion has been welcomed by a number of Computer Aid International’s long-term partners in the region including the Arid Land’s Information Network (ALIN), the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Kenya Meteorological Office, University of Nairobi, the British Council Eritrea, and the Christian Relief and Development Association of Ethiopia.
Established in 1998, Computer Aid International is a registered charity (no 1069256) and the world’s largest and most experienced not-for-profit supplier of professionally refurbished computers to schools and community organisations in the ‘developing countries’.
Based in London, Computer Aid International cleans, fully tests, professionally refurbishes, carefully packs and ships donated computers from the UK for re-use in the not-for-profit sector overseas. The majority of PCs shipped are Pentium 3 level.
Computer Aid International says it is committed to providing the "highest level decommissioning service to its UK computer donors and delivery of the highest quality refurbished computers to its recipient partners overseas".
Computer Aid International says the twin aims’ success is reflected by the fact that it has already been donated over 50,000 computers from business, universities and councils. These have in turn been provided to over 4,000 educational institutions and 2,500 community groups in 95 different countries worldwide.
Computer Aid International has developed strategic donor partnerships with leading companies such as British Airways, Warner Bros. and Ford (Credit Europe) in the UK and strategic distribution partnerships through the overseas programmes of partners such as SchoolNet Africa, ALIN, Oxfam and the British Council.
Gladys Muhunyo’s photo courtesy Computer Aid International.
