2007 Computer Shipment to Ethiopia

October 2007 Computer Shipment to Ethiopia

In 2002, the WiderNet Project sent its first large shipment of computers to universities in Nigeria.  Since then, the WiderNet Project has continued to collect used computers from private and corporate donors in Iowa City and surrounding Iowa communities, and also from as far away as Washington D.C.  

In October, a 40 foot cargo container with over 270 computers and monitors was shipped to Adama University in Ethiopia. The shipment contained networking equipment, textbooks, printers, and other computer accessories that will be used by the students at Adama University.  The University of Iowa Surplus donated 100 computers and the rest of the equipment and materials were donations from individuals and institutions in the Iowa City community. 

Dozens of volunteers contributed their time over the course of a week packing monitors in bubble wrap, hauling equipment from the International Center, and loading and arranging everything within the cargo container.  The entire enterprise was fueled by the work of volunteers -- starting with testing and refurbishing the computers and ending with the stuffing everything into the cargo container.

The cargo container is currently in transit, traveling by land to New Jersey and then by sea to Djibouti, and finally by land again to Adama University in Ethiopia.  When the shipment arrives, WiderNet staff will travel to the university to train local technicians, help set up nine different computer labs, and provide capacity building to faculty, staff, and students.  Each computer system will be provided at a total cost of approximately $25, providing an affordable outlet to learn and transforming the educational atmosphere at the university.  Students can access the benefits of technology that were previously unavailable to them because of the work of all the volunteers who participated in the event.

The WiderNet Project continues to collect used computers and is looking forward to the delivery of this shipment as well as anticipating the next one. 

A Special  Thanks! Our thanks to over 100 individuals and organizations who donated computers, software, books, and networking equipment.
We would like to thank all of the volunteers who put hundreds of hours testing, repairing, sorting, and packing computers. 
  Visit Our Corporate Sponsors HERE

  Without the support of the community and corporate philanthropy none of this would be possible!

 

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