- Educational centres will be equipped with 2,500 recycled computers
- Girls in 100 schools will learn how to use a computer to improve their maths, science and literacy skills
- Second-hand computers will be refurbished by Vyta according to GDPR regulations
- High-spec computers will be recycled and resold by Vyta to generate funds for additional computers
Vyta Secure IT, Ireland’s leading secure IT recycling company, today announces a collaboration with Camara Education to bring 100 e-learning centres to schoolgirls in Ethiopia. As a result, the initiative will benefit girls in 100 schools in Ethiopia’s Southern People’s Province. Adult literacy for women there is just 22%.
In line with GDPR Regulations
Camara Education is an Irish charity that receives donations of retired computers and hardware from corporations including ESB, Dell and Symantec. The refurbished equipment is then used to educate disadvantaged schoolchildren in Ireland and Africa. In accordance with GDPR regulations, Camara outsources its Dublin-based refurbishment operations to Vyta. Vyta securely collects, processes and refurbishes the equipment to the most stringent international standards.
Only Irish Company Certified by ADISA
As part of this agreement, Vyta will enable the provision of 2,500 computers for the e-learning centres. Vyta are the only Irish company certified to the ADISA IT Disposal Industry Standard. Vyta will recycle computers donated to Camara Education in order to equip the e-learning centres. High-spec computers will be resold by Vyta and the proceeds from each one will be used to fund up to six additional computers for the project. Camara Education will take care of shipping to Ethiopia and the establishment of the e-learning centres, each of which will be run by six teachers trained by Camara.
As a result of the initiative, girls in the beneficiary schools will learn how to use a computer and will be given the opportunity to improve their maths, science and literary skills. They will also have access to information about female health issues, equality, entrepreneurship and global affairs.
Transforming Lives
Philip McMichael, CEO, Vyta, said: “We are delighted to team up with Camara Education on this fantastic initiative to educate girls in Ethiopia. While these computers may no longer be fit for purpose for today’s digitally transforming enterprises, they can quite literally be a lifeline for disadvantaged schoolchildren. They will provide them with the education and digital skills to unlock new opportunities for the future.
“Camara Education does admirable work in Ireland and Africa and through our partnership, we are ensuring that they can continue to provide recycled computers to disadvantaged schoolchildren in accordance with GDPR regulations. Any hardware that is donated to Camara Education is collected by security-vetted, trained and uniformed Vyta collection crews. Equipment is transported in unmarked, GPS-tracked vehicles. We then use our advanced equipment and data erasure software to ensure that all data-bearing equipment is cleansed to the most stringent global standards before refurbishment or resale.”
Cormac Lynch, founder, Camara Education, said: “This initiative is about empowering young women in Ethiopia to change their future. By the time they reach the age of 18, many women in Ethiopia will have dropped out of school and are already married. Literacy is extremely low, which can place enormous restrictions on a woman’s ability to take control of her life. Access to computers can open up a world of opportunity and can enable a woman to go to university, learn new skills and leave in her legacy a brighter future for the next generation of girls.
“Our collaboration with Vyta is essential for us to continue supporting children’s education in Ethiopia. We recently signed our third agreement with the Ethiopian Government. This will see us provide 21,000 desktop computers and impact 690,000 students by 2022. Vyta is fundamental to this and we look forward to working with them on many more child-focused initiatives in Africa and Ireland in the future.”
