Camara (Charity)
Encyclopedia
Camara is a charitable organisation that sends refurbished computers from Ireland
to schools and other educational institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa
. Donations are accepted from individuals, and in addition, a corporate recycling programme issues recycling certificates to businesses who dispose of used computers with them . Camara sent 84 volunteers to Sub-Saharan Africa in summer 2008 to help install the computers and train teachers and students in their use .
Since its inception in 2005 Camara has delivered 12,342 computers to schools across seven countries . Camara also provides comprehensive teacher training, maintenance, and recycling. Local Digital Hubs ensure that all recipient schools have a well-ventilated and secure computer lab with appropriate surge protection.
The Camara model addresses the dearth of ICT hardware and expertise in sub-Saharan Africa by adding only the inputs that schools cannot bring themselves. The schools themselves must provide and furnish a suitable room, and source a teacher. While many schools do not have electricity, most are willing and able to get it as a prerequisite to receiving Camara computers. Camara's work allows school children who otherwise would not be able to afford it to learn to use computers.
The Camara model aims to:
Camara visits all of their beneficiary schools and compiles reports on each in terms of gender
, disability
, PLWAs (people living with HIV/AIDS), poverty
, and accessibility. This feedback led to Camara establishing labs for AIDS orphans in Uganda
, and people living with disabilities in Kenya
.
The most important aspect of sending the refurbished computers to Africa is the educational material which is installed on them, and who is trained to use it. Camara’s HIV/AIDS Respect Programme, a software package on HIV/AIDS, is expected to be rolled out in Lesotho
later this year. It will be followed with other curricular, gender equality
, pro-disability and civic-engagement material and teacher-training. In addition, each computer sent out has the Linux
operating system installed on it, as well as other Open Source
programmes, such as OpenOffice and a Wikipedia
encyclopedia.
Camara destroys all data on donated computers in accordance with UK and Irish law. They are also working with the Irish Department of the Environment to ensure that the re-use of electronic waste is enshrined as best-practice in national legislation. In quantitative terms, Camara has expanded rapidly, from 5,200 computers in 2008 to a targeted 10,000 this year.
Camara is a registered Irish Charity with a charity number of CHY 16922.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to schools and other educational institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
. Donations are accepted from individuals, and in addition, a corporate recycling programme issues recycling certificates to businesses who dispose of used computers with them . Camara sent 84 volunteers to Sub-Saharan Africa in summer 2008 to help install the computers and train teachers and students in their use .
Since its inception in 2005 Camara has delivered 12,342 computers to schools across seven countries . Camara also provides comprehensive teacher training, maintenance, and recycling. Local Digital Hubs ensure that all recipient schools have a well-ventilated and secure computer lab with appropriate surge protection.
The Camara model addresses the dearth of ICT hardware and expertise in sub-Saharan Africa by adding only the inputs that schools cannot bring themselves. The schools themselves must provide and furnish a suitable room, and source a teacher. While many schools do not have electricity, most are willing and able to get it as a prerequisite to receiving Camara computers. Camara's work allows school children who otherwise would not be able to afford it to learn to use computers.
The Camara model aims to:
- encourage schools to provide the inputs they can bring themselves, such as a furnished classroom and paid teacher.
- support schools in preparing computer labs with technical expertise, in terms of protecting the computers against dust, power surges and theft.
- provide schools with the inputs that are most difficult for them to obtain at an affordable cost and to a quality standard.
Camara visits all of their beneficiary schools and compiles reports on each in terms of gender
Gender
Gender is a range of characteristics used to distinguish between males and females, particularly in the cases of men and women and the masculine and feminine attributes assigned to them. Depending on the context, the discriminating characteristics vary from sex to social role to gender identity...
, disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
, PLWAs (people living with HIV/AIDS), poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, and accessibility. This feedback led to Camara establishing labs for AIDS orphans in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, and people living with disabilities in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
.
The most important aspect of sending the refurbished computers to Africa is the educational material which is installed on them, and who is trained to use it. Camara’s HIV/AIDS Respect Programme, a software package on HIV/AIDS, is expected to be rolled out in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
later this year. It will be followed with other curricular, gender equality
Gender equality
Gender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
, pro-disability and civic-engagement material and teacher-training. In addition, each computer sent out has the Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
operating system installed on it, as well as other Open Source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
programmes, such as OpenOffice and a Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
encyclopedia.
Camara destroys all data on donated computers in accordance with UK and Irish law. They are also working with the Irish Department of the Environment to ensure that the re-use of electronic waste is enshrined as best-practice in national legislation. In quantitative terms, Camara has expanded rapidly, from 5,200 computers in 2008 to a targeted 10,000 this year.
Camara is a registered Irish Charity with a charity number of CHY 16922.
See also
- Computer recyclingComputer recyclingComputer recycling or electronic recycling is the recycling or reuse of computers or other electronics. It includes both finding another use for materials , and having systems dismantled in a manner that allows for the safe extraction of the constituent materials for reuse in other...
- Electronic waste by countryElectronic waste by countryElectronic waste is becoming an increasing part of the waste stream and efforts are being made to recycle and reduce this waste.-Basel Convention:...
- Computer technology for developing areasComputer technology for developing areasComputer technology for developing areas is the donation of technology to developing areas by individuals and organizations . However, donating technology without first coordinating its use, maintenance and final disposal can lead to misuse and potential problems.-Opportunity:Developing countries...