HONG KONG (SE): In the midst of restrictions during the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic online classes have become a common way for students to attend lessons while schools have been suspended. However as low income families find it hard to buy a computer for their children, this is a source of stress and anxiety for them.
The Caritas Computer Workshop, supported by the commercial sector and charity funds, has sent hundreds of recycled computers to students from low income families through a recently launched project, Com4Kids.
Early this year, the workshop delivered over 500 computers with the support of its community centres and school social workers. Also, in cooperation with a broadband Internet service provider, students were given free broadband service for two years.
Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Department, the Caritas Computer Workshop set up more than 20 recycling stations around Hong Kong to collect old computers. It also offers to pick them up. Staff will then examine the computer, replace old parts and make them functional again so they can be sold at low prices to those in need.
Lee Hon-tung, manager of the workshop, expressed hopes that the recycled computers could help the less privileged to break the digital wall. People who would like to join need the referrals of social workers, teachers, clergy or district councillors, or documents proving that they qualify for government subsidies.
According to Lee, recycled computers with keyboard, mouse and word processing software are available for around $200.
Besides helping the disadvantaged, Lee said the workshop has two other objectives, offering computer repair training for young people and reducing the amount of electronic waste.
He remarked that sometimes the performance of an old computer can be enhanced simply by upgrading the hard drive. “Many discarded computers are in fact repairable but as the repair cost is high, the owner prefers buying a new one,” he said.
The workshop also provides computer skills classes for parents at community centres so that they can better support their children at home.
