Government to distribute almost 500 refurbished PCs to Church schools

This was announced by Parliamentary Assistant Charlo Bonnici today during a presentation of 10 laptops to NGO FACES to utilise them to teach children and adults in Peru’, Kenya and Tanzania.

The laptops were presented thanks to the PC4NGOs scheme launched by the Government in May last year. The aim of this scheme is to offer the possibility to non-governmental organisations to obtain refurbished computers to improve their service in the community.

The aim of these initiatives was to reduce digital divide to increase access to technology.

During the last year, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) was to give the possibility to these organisations, which work with specific communities, to reach in an effective way these needy families and individuals.

These computers were reconditioned by formatting the hard disk, the hardware was re-furbished and new software was installed. The organisations that benefited from this scheme include youth associations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and youth centres, as well as more traditional organisations like band clubs in various villages around Malta and Gozo.

Bonnici added that until now, more than 1,200 laptops had been distributed to various NGOs across Malta and Gozo.

Besides NGOs, refurbished computers were distributed to other sectors of society, including 25 computers to the Corradino Correctional Facility, 20 computers to the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit (SATU) at Mtaħleb, 75 computers to the Malta Community Chest Fund, and 97 computers to various Local Councils across Malta and Gozo.

In July 2009, the MCA had also presented 30 refurbished computers to the Albania Fund, which works with Albanian orphans to give them the opportunity to provide for their daily needs as well as for their education.