Video: Kenya schools get major IT boost

Helping to bridge the digital divide...

Published: 11 April 2007 08:30 GMT by Will Sturgeon

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A sea container full of recycled PC equipment provided by CNET Networks UK has this week arrived in Kenya to give 11 schools in the country their first experience of using computers for education.

The money was raised by three representatives from silicon.com, sister site ZDNet UK and publisher CNET Networks UK, who cycled across the country visiting schools set to benefit from the project, run by Computer Aid International and Computers for Schools Kenya.

Although many of the computers are high-spec Pentium 4 machines they had been donated to Computer Aid by UK businesses that had decided they had reached the end of their useful life. However fully refurbished by experienced engineers they can offer five years or more of useful life to schools that would otherwise be left behind by the digital age.

Speaking after the arrival in Nairobi of the computers, Tony Roberts, chief executive of Computer Aid International, said: "CNET Networks UK's contribution to this project has been staggering. The funding CNET has raised has put 225 PCs onto Kenyan school desks - effectively setting up computer labs in 11 schools for the very first time.

"Thousands of disadvantaged children at those schools are now enjoying an IT education that wouldn't have been possible without CNET's support."

Office equipment manufacturer Ricoh was the project's major sponsor, providing £4,000 funding. CNET Networks UK covered all the expenses of the three cyclists, ensuring all money raised went to Computer Aid.