Computers for Africa

Computers for Africa (CFA)

Postal Address	7429 Ernst Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68122, USA
Street Address	7429 Ernst Street
Tel	1-402-573-0977
Fax	-
E-mail	info@computers4africa.org
Web Address	http://www.computers4africa.org
Year Established	Research and model development for 18 months. CFA became "official" in 2002, registering with the State of Nebraska and applying for non-profit, charity status of our own. Previously we worked under the umbrella of the Catholic Church.
Contacts	Tim and Ruth Leacock, Board Members of Computers for Africa
Mission	Computers for Africa collects Omaha's used computers, refurbishes them, and ships them to African high schools and non-profit organizations. We are developing a model whereby U.S. cities can partner with villages in Least Developed Nations to help bridge the international digital divide. This model maximizes the use of Omaha technology and reduces the disparity between nations; it also enhances the social and economic status of some of the world's most disadvantaged women. Omaha businesses, like most U.S. businesses, currently pay for disposal of low-end computers. We are developing an alternative that gives them credit, and helps people (especially women) of Africa help themselves. To date we have sent 150 computers to East Africa. This year we plan to ship 100+ computers This year we are sending Pentium or better, at least 32 MB RAM and at least 500 MB hard drive. Also dot matrix printers and e-mail capabilities at each site. We are currently fund-raising. The more we show we can SUPPORT what we are doing, the more likely we will receive funding.
Geographical area of operations	East Africa
Issues area of operations	Bridging the digital divide, reducing the disparity between nations Enhancing the technological education and training of African youth, especially females Enhancing the social and economic status of African women and supporting gender equality by providing access to computers Widen knowledge sharing between communities to further development (education, agriculture, business, medicine)
Activities	Collect, refurbish and ship computers to East African schools and organizations. Provide as much support as we can for those who receive them.
Affiliation(s)	We are now our own entity. Previously, the Jesuits supported our efforts to begin a pilot project and develop a model.
Dissemination	Pamphlets, slide show, community events, fund raisers to raise awareness of the project and the issues surrounding the digital divide.
Target Audience	Donors: Technological groups, African Americans, Government representatives, International Agencies (We are just beginning to do this) Clients: East African schools and non-profit organizations, especially those serving women and youth.
Additional Information	March 2003: Computers for Africa celebrates the safe arrival and disbursement of its latest shipment of 17 computer labs (200 computers) to communities in Uganda. Applications for the 2003-2004 cycle are now open. The on-line application is available at http://www.computers4africa.org on the Applicant Information page. You may also e-mail CFA at info@computers4africa.org requesting the e-mail version. The deadline for receiving applications from the general public is June 30, 2003. Recipients will be notified by Oct. 31, 2003. We expect to ship late winter/early spring of 2004.

Last update: March-30, 2003