Rotary Project in Bolivia

Computers Needed:	400
Computers Shipped:	0
Funds Needed:	$30,000
Funds Pledged:	$20,000

WCE has a new Board member from Bolivia, David Lozano.  David is helping us work with the Santa Cruz Rotary Club to pilot a more comprehenisve project including training, computers, visiting eCorps teams, volunteer help on identifying online educational content, and assistance with identifying local responsible recyclers in Bolivia. 

David used to work for a variety of development agencies and for some mining companies in Bolivia who is willing to work to make this project a success - and use it to leverage other shipments. 

We are planning to ship a 40-foot container of 400 used computers to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  This shipment is likely to involve funds from the Santa Crus Rotary Club involvement (and possibly that of the La Paz Rotary).  We also hope for Catholic Church involvement - they manage most of the public schools for the government.  The WCE president visited and met many of the players a few months ago when in Bolivia. 

Right now in Bolivia, the average GDP per capita is $4,400 and about 6.5% use the Internet. 

We are hoping that this shipment will also place some computers with the local branch libraries of the national library system.

We plan on this shipment leaving in September or October as the Santa Crus Rotary Club has the first $20,000 

Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar in Sucre will be importing 100 Pentium 3 computers for its 1,200 students and for 60 children and many young adults in projects that the university supports.  Julio Garrett Aillón, the Rector was referred by the Bolivian Embassy in Ottawa. 

Peace Corps Volunteers are likely to be involved in helping in the areas where they are located again in this shipment.