- A few Cracow-based companies initiated a campaign that aims to provide children and teachers with computers and laptops, enabling online education for them.
- #DajżeKompa starts in Cracow but is looking to scale up to other Polish cities.
- If you want to donate your equipment – just fill in the form.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, students switched to online education. Unfortunately, not all children and not all teachers have access to a computer or tablet. #DajżeKompa (English: Give a computer) is an initiative meant to fight the digital exclusion in Poland.
If you have unnecessary computer equipment, give it to the needs of children or teachers or to students who can’t afford a laptop for college. As the use of computers and laptops are increasing, the price of these devices also seems to be rising. With the sudden transformation to online education, there can be many students who are falling back because they don’t have a system or the proper devices to access their online classroom. Along with proper devices, quality education would be equally important. Also, these devices can be used to complete a free certificate course online, with the help of an internet connection.
Further, if you can give your spare computer equipment away, that would truly help those students and teachers in terms of catching up with the digital barrier. For instance, if you have a spare laptop that has Windows OS, then giving it to the needy might prove to be helpful for building their careers. However, you may be worried if they can understand the basics of handling Windows like disabling wass medic agent exe, fixing error code 80090016, etc. Do not worry! Since they are new to the concept of a computer, it might take some time to properly operate the device. With time they can surely learn all the nitty-gritty of using a computer and a Windows OS.
Przemek Berendt, CEO at Talent Alpha, came up with an idea of #DajżeKompa a few weeks ago. In a LinkedIn post, he invited companies and individuals to join forces in a project that aims to help children who are digitally excluded in COVID-19 times. The feedback was great, and three weeks later Przemek announced #DajzeKompa.
The initiative has been supported by the Crakow City Office, Poland Business Run Foundation, InPost, FIXIT SA, BKode, SSW Pragmatic Solutions, Talent Alpha as well as private individuals.
Over 30 people worked on the initiative and created a solution at a record pace that: supports the entire exchange via the website,
- provides professional service and disinfection of transferred computers before transferring them to beneficiaries,
- ensures that the equipment will reach children who really need it,
- does not generate costs associated with the shipment of equipment for a donor,
- allows you to transfer equipment fully legally in terms of the law, tax, and GDPR.
‘We start from Krakow, thinking that we will expand the campaign to other cities. In Krakow alone, we want to provide children with at least 1,000 computers with Internet access. We are looking for people who will organize the initiative together with us in other cities,’
How to donate your equipment?
- Apply for participation through the website.
- Prepare the equipment you want to transfer (clean from private files)
- Pack the equipment and send the package via InPost parcel locker.
- The organizers will do the rest. They will make sure that the equipment is quarantined, disinfected, prepared for the needs of on-line tasks and of course they will deliver it to people who need it.
Notice! It’s not a rental service, the equipment will stay with the beneficiaries forever. The organizers will also deal with all legal and tax issues.
‘At a time when the virus locked us in homes, not all children and not all teachers have access to a computer or tablet. In response to this problem, companies supported by the City of Krakow and the Poland Business Run Foundation initiated the # DajżeKompa campaign. First, in Krakow but we are looking forward to scaling up,’ InPost CEO Rafal Brzoska commented on LinkedIn.
Read more about Rafal Brzoska’s approach to crisis management.
Check your closet or warehouse, is there any working unnecessary equipment? Contact us at [email protected] if you need any support or information about this initiative.
