Did you know that your old PC could provide up to 6,000 hours of extra computer time to a school child in Africa? Computer Aid International (CAI) gives people, both businesses and individuals, the opportunity to do something for poorer communities in the developing world which will directly affect and improve the lives of people there.

CAI is the UK’s largest not-for-profit supplier of second-hand computers to schools and not-for-profit organisations in the developing world. Its directors have a wealth of experience of working out in the field, which ensures that the PCs get sent to the people who need them most. CAI accepts donations of any Pentium 2 and above computers from individuals as well as large corporations. Any donated PCs which cannot be refurbished or cannibalised for spare parts are sent for recycling.

Donating your old computer to CAI benefits the local community in a number of ways. Firstly, all the computers are refurbished and tested in their workshop by people from the local community. Their volunteers are made of people from all sectors of the community including people from different ethnic backgrounds, long-term unemployed, job seekers and retired people. Volunteering enables them to learn transferable skills in maintaining and repairing computers, which can improve their employment prospects. Secondly, donating an old computer for reuse is protecting the environment and reduces the amount of tonnage which gets sent to landfill.

Case study issued in November 2005