Tree of Promise works to purchase laptops, refurbished by STS Electronic Recycling and outfitted with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office Suite. These laptops are sent to rural schools in 3rd world countries (this round of funding will see labs shipped to the
Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, Lilongwe, Malawi and San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala) so students can learn skills that will increase their ability to earn wages.
The dropout rate in rural community schools in Africa is >90%. When computers are introduced into those schools that number often drops to <10%.
When kids in 3rd world countries stay in school AND receive computer skills training, they have the hope of a future that erases generational poverty.
Refurbished/recycled computers are available, but are also expensive to obtain and ship. It will take a community of supporters to see this obstacle overcome.
The laptops are shipped to places where we already have trusted contacts living in the country. This ensures they reach the intended audience. We currently have requests for 600 computers.
Our trusted contacts, such as Steve Peifer in Kenya, Samuel Mwale in Malawi and Terri Littrell in Guatemala, are locals or permanent residents of the countries into which we seek to send computers. They have relationships with the school headmasters and
local governments.
