Phil Lynes On Why He Gives
Phil Lynes, one of our longtime volunteers, wrote a meaningful story on his experiences with World Computer Exchange that captures the spirit of what we do and the impact our mission has on those who support it.
“Every year as Christmas approaches I give some thought to what charities I’d like to support. There are so many needy and worthy causes to consider and my funds are limited, especially since I retired a number of years ago. But I think of how much better off I am than so many others worldwide and feel the need to share. My career began as a high school math teacher and then after graduate school I shifted into work as a software engineer working for a number of different firms large and small. As I was approaching retirement I began to look for more rewarding work both paid and volunteer.
That was when I discovered World Computer Exchange.
I had built and upgraded a number of PCs for my own use so I found the idea of refurbishing donated PCs and laptops to be repurposed for young people in developing countries an exciting idea. The folks that were gathering in Hull on Saturdays were a friendly bunch and seemed happy to teach me what I needed to know and I soon became committed to helping in any way I could including giving lifts to folks who needed transportation, picking up donations around the Boston area to bring to Hull, drawing up procedures to insure high quality work or passing on my experience to new volunteers.
As I learned more about where the shipments were going and how the computers were being used I became more and more convinced that what I was doing really mattered.
“I was aware of the technology and opportunity divide between those who did and those who did not have access to even the simplest computers and software. I was also aware of the shameful waste of equipment that was going into landfills in the US and other developed countries.
It seemed to me that WCE had an inspired approach to addressing both these problems.
Then when I heard about the Computers for Girls and Inspire Girls programs where girls in developing countries were using the computers from WCE to develop IT skills that would give them access to much brighter futures I knew it was time to do more than just volunteer. I began making yearly financial donations.
Even though my wife and I have now moved too far west in Massachusetts for it to be practical for me to continue my in-person volunteer work I continue to offer annual contributions to WCE because I know firsthand how important their work is and how well the money is being used.”