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Become A Partner To Get Computers

To get computers from World Computer Exchange (WCE) an interested group should briefly answer most of our 25 implementation questions.  When these answers are received, they are posted on this website and then voted on by our Board of Directors and then posted on this website.  We ask these questions for three reasons:  (1) to help you develop your implementation plan, (2) to help you form the basis of your fund raising proposal, and (3) to give to our Board of Directors to consider our becoming Partners with your organisation.

 The 25 implementation questions are here in ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH & ARABIC. 

WCE ships donated used desktop computers to our Partners (NGOs, Government ministries, schools, orphanages, libraries, youth centres, telecentres, universities & entrepreneurs) to use in public settings to help connect more youth in developing countries to the Internet at low cost. Most of these computers need to be used most of the time to connect youth up-to the age of 24.  We understand that some Partners are not yet able to correct directly to the Internet - so in these cases we look for creative approaches to virtual Internet experiences.

Usually WCE ships in containers of 200 or 400 sets to help connect 20-40 schools or centres. We also offer shared containers in which Partners can get allotments as small as 20 sets.

Pentium 3 desktops (with some P4s) are US$65 per full set plus shipping. Pentium 2s are $45 plus shipping. Pentium 1s (good for thin client labs) are $25 plus shipping. Laptops are an additional $15 each and usually have batteries that are NOT very good.  We include 1 printer per ten computers & other useful items. Partners need to budget and plan to repair 10% of computers, install office software & transport from the port.  Our sourcing cost for shipments that are all P4s is US$95 - and are based on availability.

We ship 400 computers within 6 weeks after receipt of answers & funds from our Partner(s) or we ship 200 within about 4 weeks.

We reduce our sourcing cost by 5% for Partners that work with Rotary Clubs, Peace Corps Volunteer, or our 25 WCE Strategic Allies.

Our Programme Officers can assist our Partners with their fund raising by providing ideas, helping edit their proposals, sending e-mails of support, and helping raise the last 1/3 of the sourcing and shipping costs via our Sponsor Campaign.  For our guidelines - please see the blue box on the left.

The following are the responsibilities of WCE Partners and the sites to which they provide computers:

  1. Consignee is responsible for any demurrage,customs, and costs related to clearance from the port.
  2. Consignee will arrange for a space to set voltage toggle switch on the computers to the correct voltage, adapt the wall plugs, re-install some operating systems, secure & install Microsoft Office or free Open Office software, and repair computers as needed (budget & plan on 10% needing repair).
  3. Recipient sites will pick-up, install, connect & maintain these computers in their schools.
  4. Recipient sites will see that these computers are used most of the time by youth at low cost.
  5. Recipient sites will connect these computers to the Internet as much as possible.
  6. Recipient sites will monitor & report to WCE annually on the computers' status, use & impact.
  7. Recipient sites agree to responsible final disposal of the toxins in these computers.

The full copy of our standard Partnership areement is here in ENGLISH, FRENCH and SPANISH.