News
For over 11 years, World Computer Exchange has shown that repurposing refurbished computers is a viable and low cost approach to bridging the digital divide in developing countries. Because of WCE's efforts over 1 million youth are connected to the Internet each year - giving them the opportunity to build 21st century skills, knowledge and understanding. Read about recent news, media coverage and stories about our work around the world.
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Recent Headlines and Press Releases
Computers for Africa & WCE Working Together
WCE has long known about the good work of Computers for Africa in Omaha, Nebraska, USA led by Timothy Leacok, President. They have expanded their efforts from Uganda to Kenya and they send teams from the United States to help with maintenance and repair training for teachers. In April 2012 we'll work together to ship computers refurbished by their volunteers from Omaha to schools in Ghana. This will be the 8th WCE shipment to Ghana.
WCE founder and president profiled in Boston College Magazine
Dubbed the "Net worker", third world technology provider Timothy Anderson '73 is profiled by his alma mater.
WCE providing computers preloaded with specialized teacher content
Tying technology to the educational needs of youth in developing countries is more than providing computers. A key issue is that Internet connections can be sporadic and slow. To better meet the needs of teachers and youth - even without a robust connection - WCE has developed the Content Project.
WCE is looking for royalty-free educational content and volunteers
Do you have or know of royalty-free content that is appropriate for primary and secondary students? Are you interested in volunteering your time to be part of this project? WCE is actively seeking royalty-free content to include in our Content Project as well as volunteers to help us expand this projec
Welcome our newest WCE Chapter
The twin cities of Pullman, Washington and Moscow, Idaho is our newest WCE Chapter. Thanks to John Kalu Osiri, Chapter Coordinator and Kent Crossin, Chapter Lead Tech. Jacob Brill will be helping to manage their donated refurbishment and storage space in Pullman, WA.
Timothy Anderson meets with Former President, Vicente Fox
Timothy Anderson recently met with former Mexican President Vicente Fox at Centro Fox, the first Presidential Library in Mexico, to discuss ways we can work together. This was the first program planning meeting with the next meeting scheduled for early 2011.
USAID's independent auditor give WCE a 'Thumbs Up'.
In August, USAID conducted a quality assurance inspection of our computers and gave WCE high marks.
WCE welcomes three new Board members
Three new Board members join our Board.
January 2011 holds new beginnings for thousands of youth
Twenty eight sites, 12,630 youth. That's the impact WCE will have when our three shipments arrive in Zimbabwe, India and El Salvador.
Shipment to Dominica Republic Ready to Go
Our Chicago Chapter does it again. They have just finished packing 220 computers destined for the DR. What makes this shipment special is that WCE computers are arriving with either Spanish or French content already installed as well as help from a host of organizations.
Now Recruiting for Nepal February 18th - March 9th 2011
Celebrate Lhosar (Tibetan New Year), be surrounded by the awe-inspiring Himalayas, visit the Buddhist monasteries and lend your expertise and skills to help youth in the "land of mountains" - Nepal.
Now Recruiting for Zimbabwe September 2011
Help "train the trainers" while encouraging girls to participate in computer-based learning. Zimbabwe is the first country to receive an eCorps team as part of our Computers for Girls Initiative.
Dominican Republic eCorp Trip - April 11th - April 22nd 2011
Help "train the trainers" in upgrading, networking, and trouble-shooting in schools that have received computers from WCE. Show schools how to use the Internet to improve learning.
Join WCE on eCorps Tanzania July 8th - July 22nd 2011
Help schools in Tanzania learn how to use the Internet in the classroom, or assist our partners with networking, hardware troubleshooting, website development, recycling of computers, and training.
WCE and University of the People Partner to Provide Worldwide Digital Schooling
WCE has partnered with University of the People (UoPeople), the world's first tuition-free online university, to expand UoPeople's reach in developing nations and strengthening our shared missions to democratized access to education. WCE is now beginning with Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Liberia, Palestine and Zimbabwe.
SAN LUIS Rassini Sponsors 200 computers for Mexico
This shipment of 200 computers was sponsored by SAN LUIS Rassini in the Piedras Negras. They made a donation of $6,300 and paid for the trucking from Chicago to Eagle Pass, Texas. From there, the cargo moved across the border with the help of the Piedras Negras Rotary Club.
The Strategic Group Challenge Grants Awarded
The Strategic Group, led by WCE Board member, Robb Rill, took a creative approach to their sponsorship. He want to help WCE Partners close to covering their sourcing and shipping costs so he challenged them with an interesting incentive. Grants of up to $5,000.
Making a Plan: Bentley students help out with marketing WCE
Business smarts and a passion to help. Three Bentley University students teamed up to help WCE do a better job at getting the word out.
British Embassy Helps With Shipment to Tanzania
Volunteers from the Baltimore/Washington Chapter of WCE packed 240 computers into a shipping container in April and sent them off to 3 schools, 3 orphanages and a university library in Tanzania to connect 2,000 youth.
Recent Shipment to Peace Corps in Senegal
191 computers for schools in Sénégal were shipped from WCE Chicago in October 2009 connecting 10,436 youth in 17 schools and youth centres assisted by 9 Peace Corps Volunteers. For this shipment, Peace Corps country office was involved and the Ambassador of the USA to Senegal was the consignee.
Looking For A Good Audience For World Rider
Allan Karl, back from a motorcycle odyssey around the world, started another mission: urging people to support World Computer Exchange. First on his list of communities to help is Senegal, where 15 schools assisted by Peace Corps Volunteers are raising the final $3,400 for a shipment of 200 computers.
Computers to VIST in Kenya arrive
The first phase of shipping 211 computers and other electronic equipment to the Victoria Institute of Science and Technology (VIST) has been completed. A multimedia research and training center in western Kenya is being set up in cooperation with the KCA University. And eCorps volunteers helped train faculty there on audio and visual film making technologies.
CEA Recognizes WCE
The Consumer Electronic Association recognized World Computer Exchange at its annual technology show in Las Vegas in January citing WCE's work in 67 developing countries helping to bridge the digital divide and working to reduce electronic waste.
