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USAID

USAID and WCE

WCE is an institutional resource partner in USAID's dot-EDU program.

WCE has received funds from USAID for shipments to Mali, Senegal (some was for computers for a school assisted by a PCV), and Bangladesh (3) (used their SETA funding mechanism) - but these went to local NGOs or UNDP.

In Moldova, Peace Corps Volunteers arranged for the US Embassy to act as the consignee for the WCE container as Diplomatic Cargo.

In 3 countries, USAID used its name as the consignee: Malawi (including for schools assisted by Peace Corps Volunteers) (used their GDA funding mechanism), Macedonia, and Guatemala (used their dot-EDU funding mechanism). In all three of these cases USAID paid WCE for the sourcing and shipping of the computers.

Local NGOs acted as consignees to get waivers of duty and VAT for WCE's shipments of computers to assist schools and centres assisted by PCVs in Bolivia (2), Ecuador (4), a different shipment to Guatemala, and soon in Tanzania.

WCE has received funding from USAID for the following nine shipments to WCE Partner organisations in the following countries:

  • Bangladesh (3 shipments-using SETA mechanism - another one now in planning)
  • Guatemala/USAID (using dot-EDU mechanism)
  • Macedonia/USAID (using regular budget and Purchase Order of the mission)
  • Malawi/USAID (using GDA mechanism via Computer Frontiers partially for schools assisted by Peace Corps Volunteers)
  • Mali (for USAID’s Geekcorps project)
  • Moldova * Diplomatic Cargo via the US Embassy (with funds from the US Embassy-for Connect Cahul project developed by Peace Corps volunteers)
  • Senegal (for USAID’s-Digital Freedom Initiative)

WCE has received computers from USAID/Georgia and is in discussions about getting computers from the US Embassy in Afghanistan.

We are in discussions about USAID funding for another container shipment for schools and groups assisted by Peace Corps volunteers in El Salvador.

A small shipment in June of 2007 to the Vilnius University Library was allowed to use the APO of the USA Embassy to Lithuania.

The WCE Board of Directors has also voted to enter into partnerships with USAID in Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, and Uzbekistan - but these shipments have not yet gone forward.

Summary of WCE relations with Peace Corps in 51 developing countries.