Used electronic equipment gets a new life in Uganda

On a recent trip to visit Hope Alive!’s Koro (Gulu) site, I brought a used laptop and iPhone along to meet a couple of urgent needs. 

Michael, a Hope Alive! student who received a scholarship through Hope Alive!’s new university scholarship fund, got the laptop. Michael is studying civil engineering and needs a laptop to run CAD (computer-aided design) programs in his classes. Without the laptop, Michael would have quickly fallen behind in his studies. With the laptop, we pray he will study hard, do well in school and show God’s goodness and glory. Michael has already began putting his budding civil engineering skills to use in a new church building project in the Koro area. 

Another Michael, Hope Alive!'s education specialist in Koro (Gulu) got the used iPhone. A couple of days before I left for Uganda, Michael contacted me, letting me know that his iPhone had met a tragic end. There was no time to have a new iPhone shipped to me. Fortunately, a Hope Alive! supporter who lives in our area had an old iPhone 7 collecting dust. I received the phone and made sure it was unlocked and ready to be transferred to a new user (specific details below.) Michael now has a working cell phone for his many ministry responsibilities and endeavors. 

My name is Mike Clark. I volunteer for HA! on computer, network and website projects. My day job revolves around software development, computer networks and all things tech. 

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit all four of the HA! sites in Uganda and meet many of the students and staff.  It is heartening to see the hard work and love our staff and mentors pour into the children.  It's also allowed me to see opportunities to apply the gifts and skills the Lord has given me, including computer technology. Here’s where I need your help.

Do you have an old laptop, tablet or smartphone? Don’t e-cycle it yet. Send me an email with the make of the laptop, tablet or smartphone (HP, Dell, Apple, Samsung, etc.) and the model. Please also include how old the device is, and how long the battery lasts. This will help me decide if the battery needs replacing before the device goes to Uganda. (Yes, I can even replace batteries in Apple devices.) If the device has some life left in it, please consider sending it to me. I’ll do a factory reset to ensure all data is removed, make any needed upgrades, and arrange for its transportation to Uganda.

Please email me at [email protected] if you have a device that might have a second home in Uganda or if you have any questions about this effort to put tech in the hands of HA! staff, mentors, and students. Please also ask your family, church members and Bible study groups if they have any used computer devices that could also find a new life in Uganda.