US volunteers working abroad - seeking computer donations
We are occasionally contacted by individuals doing volunteer work in other countries seeking equipment for schools and other projects. We would like to encourage potential donors to consider helping them.
Before making any gifts, donors should research the eligibility of such donations for tax deductions, legality of sending equipment or software to other countries and the potential expense of shipping.
If necessary, donors should consult their personal tax advisors, sponsoring organizations and the US State Department for information. Understand the rules before you make a gift and perhaps you'll be able to help a volunteer perform some very worthwhile charitible work.
Volunteer for Peace Corps El Salvador
Lee Shaver from Liverpool, NY is working on project in Torola, Mora·n, El Salvador. He writes: My organization is Peace Corps El Salvador, while the organization that I am volunteering with which is seeking the computers is the AlcaldÌa Municipal de Torola - Torola City Hall.
We are seeking three PCs, preferably no more than two years old. Pentium processors preferred. No software is required, as we will have to re-install windows in Spanish anyways. Honestly, almost anything would be better than what we currently have. Furthermore, power protection equipment would be greatly appreciated - battery back-ups with surge protection and voltage regulation.
Torola is the poorest municipality in the country of El Salvador. There are about 3000 citizens in the municipality, and four full-time employees working at the city hall to serve them. The computers that are being used currently are all over four years old, and due to the environment, and the lack of power protection during that time, have begun failing. Two hard drives failed in the past month resulting in the loss of several years worth of records which had just been digitized. Budget is spent on salary and projects, such as electrification and water projects. 77% of the population is without electricity, and 68% is without potable water. Thus there is little money left over to spend on administrative costs. The computers will be used for administrative purposes. Recently a network was established, so one of the computers will be set up with a network drive for backing up information on the other machines.
If you can help, please e-mail Mr. Shaver, visit his blog, or phone (503) 7-272-0527 (yes, that phone number IS correct)