Donate Your Computer to Austin Samaritans
Computer Connections, Austin Samaritans’ computer recycling program, accepts donations of
- computers (Pentium III or later CPU)
- computer RAM
- spare hard drives
- keyboards
- mice
- printers
- scanners
- flat panel monitors
And more
We also accept donation of cell phones with their chargers. It is possible to exchange the chip in cell phones inexpensively to give them new life in the developing world. Pastors and teachers need access to phones, but can’t afford to buy them.
We can arrange pick up of computer equipment. And naturally, as for all donations to Austin Samaritans, you will receive a letter of donation for your tax purposes.
New Life for Computers
Today’s computers have far more power than is needed for routine tasks such as word processing, email and internet access. Computers from a few years ago are perfectly adequate for these tasks and for most schools, churches and non-profits.
El Samaritano Schools
Computer Connections started from the vision of Wayne King. Wayne and his wife Kathie participated in a short term mission trip to Nicaragua in October, 2007. Wayne noted that the computers at Esceula Cristiana Emilia de Sirker were well over ten years old. He came back with a calling to seek a dozen or so computers to replace the ones at the school.
Through God’s serendipity, Wayne received over 120 donated computers! Bob Holden stepped up to assist in refurbishing the computers and Computer Connections was born.
In 2008, several refurbished computers were sent on a container to Carolyn and Nour Sirker of Fundacion el Samaritano and placed at the school as part of a renovation project sponsored by Austin Samaritans.
The computer teacher at the school was a former student of Esceula Cristiana Emilia de Sirker in the child sponsorship program. She is happy to be returning to teach in the school that made it possible for her to have access to higher education and to be able to use updated computers.
Our Computers Span the Globe
Instead of saying "mission accomplished" with shipment of the computers to Nicaragua, Wayne and Bob realized that God may have a calling for them and for other people’s used computers. Austin Samaritans’ computers are now serving several schools and students in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Austin, a Rotary International TB clinic in Reynosa, Mexico, a medical clinic in Gabon, and pastors in Zambia.
At Work in Austin
Many Central Texas non-profits are using our computers as well as we seek to serve local as well as international needs. James Kennedy with Austin’s Capital Idea is taking donated computers for training students in computer repair in a Computer Tech A+ Certification course. His students refurbish tired computers and return them to us for placement where needed.
Manos de Cristo uses our computers in their computer lab. Immigrants are learning computer skills to be able to get better jobs and also use the computers to communicate with loved ones abroad. Scott McCreight, Scott Nance and others have joined the effort. Additional tech savvy folks are need to refurbish computers and prepare them for use.
Nicaraguan National Cancer Registry
In March, 2009, five of our computers were used to establish Nicaragua’s first centralized cancer registry. These computers are now serving the Central Ministry of Health, Medical Schools in Managua and Leon, and the two primary reference hospitals in Nicaragua.
The Need Continues
Computers are need to expand Nicaragua’s cancer registry, for Justo Mwale Seminary in Zambia, for a vocational center in Managua and for Nicaragua Christian Academy.
To further information or to donate contact computers@austinsamaritans.org.
