Photos: How old PCs can bridge the digital divide

Students at Ndururumo Secondary School in Nyahururu, in the highlands north of Nairobi, were among some of the first to benefit from the work of Computer Aid International (CAI) and Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) in Kenya. The students have use of 20 well-maintained PCs in a purpose-built computer suite.

PCs provided by CAI are all Pentium II or above. As part of its agreement with schools, CFSK ensures they are regularly serviced and well-maintained.

CFSK will only donate PCs to schools that accept 20 machines - to ensure as many children as possible get to work on a PC - and are able to provide a dedicated classroom space for them.

The charity will also work with schools to set a curriculum, train teachers in IT and ensure there is a reliable supply of electricity to power the PCs. As many schools such as Ndururumo are in rural areas the latter criteria is essential.

Edwin Martins, one of CFSK's co-ordinators in Nairobi says these criteria are essential to guarantee PCs only go to schools that are committed to getting students online.

Photo credit: Will Sturgeon