Donations include 50 computers, screens, keyboards, mouse, cables, 16 laptops, dock stations and bags.
DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (Rota) has donated refurbished computers to Pakistan Welfare Forum Prep School (Pakistan Education Centre) and Egyptian Language School in Doha.
Fifty computers, screens, keyboards, mouse, cables, 16 laptops, dock stations and bags were offered to both schools under Rota’s computer refurbishing project.
The computers were donated by College of North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q) to Rota for projects in Asia and Qatar, and the laptops, dock stations and bags by Jaidah Group.
An expert from World Computer Exchange had trained 10 Rota volunteers on how to refurbish, repair, test and prepare computers for installation in schools.
“The computers will enable children to have access to technology and learn using ICT, improve their access to quality of education and help them in future career opportunities,” Rota Executive Director Essa Al Mannai said.
“The refurbishing project has helped schools in need of computers and equipment and made an impact on fostering ties and breaking barriers of differences,” he added.
The refurbishing project was initiated to address the environmental impact of e-Waste and use refurbished computers to improve access to quality education. Experts had predicted that by 2013 some 2.4bn PCs will be ditched, leading to fears of an e-Waste mountain.
Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams around the world. Rapid technological advances mean that the average computer has a life span of less than five years. The problem arises at the end of its life and is compounded by the hazardous nature of the waste.
“We are blessed with an organisation like Rota which cares about others’ needs. We are happy to receive laptops and computers from Rota and have identified the uses for the laptops,” said Dr Ahmed Qabbary, Principal, Egyptian Language School.
“We will utilise them in our computer classes to teach our students skills that will make a difference in their lives.”
The Principal of Pakistan Welfare Forum’s Education For All Prep School, Uzma Paracha, said, “We are pleased that Rota is taking an interest in the success of education and realising the importance of technology. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for this gesture. We believe all courses in the future will need computers. It is good to expose our students to computers at a tender age.”
The Peninsula
