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Get Computers - Become a Partner

To get computers from World Computer Exchange (WCE) interested groups  should briefly answer most of our 25 implementation questions .  When these answers are received, they are posted on this website, then voted on by our Board of Directors.  Once voted, these groups become new WCE Partners.

We ask these 25 implementation questions for three reasons:
(1) to help you develop your implementation plan,
(2) to help you form the basis of your fund raising proposal, and
(3) to give to our Board of Directors the basis to consider our becoming Partners with your organisation.

Implementation Questions:  ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH & ARABIC

WCE ships donated used desktop computers to groups who chose to become our Partners (NGOs, Government ministries, schools, orphanages, libraries, youth centres, telecentres, universities & entrepreneurs) for use in public settings to help connect more youth in developing countries to the Internet at low cost. Most of these computers need to be used most of the time to connect youth up-to the age of 24.   We understand that some Partners are not yet able to connect directly to the Internet - so in these cases we look for creative approaches to virtual Internet experiences.  We are also open to different entrepreneurial ideas that help development.

Usually WCE ships in containers of 200 or 400 sets to help connect 20-40 schools or centres. We also offer shared containers in which Partners can get allotments as small as 20 sets.

Our sourcing cost for shipments that are all Pentium 4s is US$90 each plus shipping.  Pentium 3 desktops (with some P4s) are US$60 per full set plus shipping. Pentium 2s are $40 plus shipping. Pentium 1s (good for thin client labs) are $25 plus shipping.   Laptops are an additional $20 each and usually have batteries that do not hold their charge for very long.  We include 1 printer per ten computers & other useful items. Partners need to budget and plan to repair 10% of computers, install office software & transport from the port.  

We ship 400 computers within 6 weeks after receipt of answers & funds from our Partner(s) or we ship 200 within about 4 weeks.

We reduce our sourcing cost by 5% for Partners that work with Rotary Clubs, Peace Corps Volunteer, or upon request from one of our 25 WCE Strategic Allies. 

  • eGranary Digtial Library in a server:  $1,500
  • iEARN online and onsite multi-day teacher training in educational use of the Internet:  $2,500
  • eCorps tech professionals visit your site:  $1,000 per volunteer

Our Programme Officers can assist our Partners with their fund raising by providing ideas, helping edit their proposals, sending e-mails of support.  

For groups that meet our Sponsor guidelines, our volunteers can also help raise the last 1/3 of the sourcing and shipping costs for qualifying Partners via our Sponsor Campaign.  For our guidelines - please see our Sponsor guidelines (scroll down for French and Spanish).  Current campaign can be seen in the blue box on the right.

The following are the responsibilities of WCE Partners and the sites to which they provide computers:

  1. Consignee is responsible for any demurrage,customs, and costs related to clearance from the port.
  2. Consignee will arrange for a space to set voltage toggle switch on the computers to the correct voltage, adapt the wall plugs, re-install some operating systems, secure & install Microsoft Office or free Open Office software, and repair computers as needed (budget & plan on up-to 10% needing repair).
  3. Recipient sites will pick-up, install, connect & maintain these computers.
  4. Recipient sites will see that these computers are used most of the time by youth at low cost.
  5. Recipient sites will connect these computers to the Internet as much as possible.
  6. Recipient sites will monitor & report to WCE annually on the computers' status, use & impact.
  7. Recipient sites agree to responsible final disposal of the toxins in these computers.

Standard  Partnership Areement:  ENGLISH, FRENCH and SPANISH

If Partners are providing computers for multiple sites or schools, WCE asks that the Partner ask each site to complete the following SITE AGREEMENT .