IT Schools Africa Case Study

Providing quality technology to schools in Africa

“We rely on computer donations from donors like Techbuyer. Collaboration brings better results and we are committed to working with our partners to transform the provision of quality education”.

IT SCHOOLS AFRICA

Background

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream on the planet. It’s expected to reach 52.2 million tonnes per annum by 2021.

At Techbuyer we are always looking at ways to fully embrace and promote a circular economy by reducing waste and extending product life.

There are cases where we receive technology that, although fully functional and performing, is not useful for businesses. In the attempt to avoid landfill for this excess but usable equipment, we came across IT Schools Africa.

A Win-Win Scenario

IT Schools Africa is a not-for-profit organisation which ensures that students across Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have access to quality technology. So far, they have given over 5 million children access to a digital education. They also help adults in the UK to become more confident with IT and run workshops in prisons. Their work presented an ideal way for us to reach our target to using waste as resource, whilst helping the wider community.

The collaboration between IT Schools Africa and our team at ITAD (our IT Asset Disposition facility which takes excess IT equipment and securely erases data), was so positive that we started a longer term partnership. We now donate any IT equipment that is not part of our core inventory to IT Schools Africa. This ensures that 100% of the equipment we receive is reused where possible. It also allows IT School Africa to help children receive access to IT equipment and develop digital skills.

“It’s great to be able to provide these quality  solutions for charities as well as businesses, to  ensure these devices have a long and useful  second lease of life.”

ALAN FISHER TECHBUYER UK, ITAD TEAM LEADER

Benefits of this Collaboration

IT Schools Africa is closing the loop on resource waste and in doing so, effectively slowing down global warming. This is all whilst giving students access to everyday technology, which increases opportunity to pursue their education and career. Once the IT equipment can no longer be used it either comes back to the facility or is kept by the schools as an education tool. Even a broken keyboard is useful for teaching children what it looks like and how it works.

This partnership is a perfect match as it aligns with our core values as a business. Since we began working with IT Schools Africa in 2019, we have donated 1600kg of equipment, from monitors, to keyboards, to mice and cables to help them on their mission. This provides the charity with reliable and secure IT performance, keeps IT devices in use, and supports communities in need of technology.