Computers for Uganda

Tools

Story Published: Oct 25, 2006 at 10:21 PM PST

By Sophie Soong

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Albany - Some kids in Albany are making old computers useful again for people half a world away.

The group called Club Planet is made up of 16 high school and middle school students in the Boys and Girls Club of Albany.

What they're doing is simple. They take old, donated computers and put in new hard drives and re-program them so the computers work again.

Technology Director Jacob Johnson oversees the project and he explains, once the computers are refurbished, they'll be sent to needy kids in Uganda.

"To give them the tools that they need to learn new skills and be able to sustain themselves--have their own careers--is the goal of this whole project," Johnson said.

Some of the students we talked with say they're enjoying the hands-on experience and the added bonus of helping someone else.

"It makes me feel really good because I'm just happy to help out when I can," 17 year old Jeff Peterson said.

"It's really fun to build them and know you actually get to send them over so it's really awesome," 13 year old Brittnee McQuarrie added

Rebuilding computers is just half of the Club Planet project. Students in the program also get to chat online with other Boys and Girls Club members around the nation to share their experiences.

So far, the group has collected more than 40 computers. They'll be shipping them to Uganda this Saturday.

If you'd like to donate an old computer, contact Jacob Johnson at the Boys and Girls Club of Albany at 541-936-4707.

For more information, call Boys and Girls Club of Albany at 541-936-4707.

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