The Property Services team at EDF has donated 1,165 computer monitors to a UK charity, the ITSA Digital Trust (ITSA). The monitors will be paired by ITSA with desktop PCs and peripherals which have been donated by other contributors to create fully functional computer units. These units will be deployed in schools in Africa, enabling huge numbers of children to begin their digital education. Each unit in the course of its lifespan will educate approximately 100 students. This means that EDF’s donation has the potential to impact around 116,500 young learners.
ITSA’s mission is to bridge the digital divide by bringing the world of technology – something many of us now could not live without – to people who have been left behind in this digital era. The goal is to help these people gain access to the digital tools they need to succeed. The devices can transform children’s lives through the opportunities that a digital education will bring, employment and global inclusion.
Annie Smith, Head of IT for EDF’s Nuclear Operations business, said: “As the UK’s largest generator of zero carbon electricity we are committed to minimising the environmental impact of our operations. Following an office move we had a surplus of computer monitors, and rather than them going to waste, I am so pleased that we have been able to make this donation to the charity to make a real difference to schools in Africa.”
ITSA’s experienced technical team rigorously tests all donated devices, diagnosing and repairing any hardware issues. If a device is repairable, the charity refurbishes and upgrades it to ensure it is fully functional. ITSA is committed to sending only fully operational equipment to African schools, with the aim that each device will have at least six more years of productive life, allowing a broad range of students to benefit from it for several years.
Over the last 20 years, ITSA has provided digital education to 6.5 million learners and trained 1,900 teachers in IT across African schools. It has installed 40 full IT labs in four countries – Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its work to refurbish and re-use IT equipment has also saved 135,000 computers from being potentially sent to landfill.
As well as schools in Africa, ITSA provides laptops and IT skills support to people in need in the UK. It welcomes donations of laptops, desktop computers and peripherals. It erases all data from devices as the very first stage in its refurbishment of devices. To support ITSA in its work and for more information, please email contact@itsadigitaltrust.org