MSP Calls ON Scottish Parliament to Donate Old Computers to Africa

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has called on The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body to partner with the Turing Trust to donate old computers from the Scottish Parliament to schools in Ghana and Malawi, during a Members’ Debate highlighting the Currie and Balerno Rotary Club’s international work with the Turing Trust.

The Edinburgh Pentlands MSP raised the matter in his Members’ Debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 9 January 2019, where he thanked the innovative partnership work that the Rotary Club and Turing Trust has undertaken in assisting over 41,000 students to gain vital digital literacy skills. Gordon Macdonald has written to The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, calling on them to partner with the Turing Trust once their current contract ceases.

Every PC the Trust puts into a school in Africa has been wiped (in compliance with military data erasure standards), repaired and loaded with offline educational resources – with this work being done by a team of dedicated volunteers in Edinburgh. Their work also is having significant environmental benefits, with none of the computer equipment ending up in a landfill. All equipment donated to the Trust is appropriately recycled at end of life both in Scotland and Africa and by reusing old computers they have offset 2,058 tonnes of CO2 emissions - the equivalent of planting over 5,000 trees.

Commenting SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said, "The Rotary Club of Currie Balerno are doing incredible work locally and on an international scale, alongside with The Turing Trust. I was pleased to welcome them to the Parliament for this debate. They have supported over 41,000 students in becoming computer literate and over 450 teachers to gain skills in basic computer maintenance and are using computers to support their teaching.

“The Currie and Balerno Rotary Club are showing the global difference that can be created through local actions and I would encourage people to get in touch with the Rotary Club, if you would like to get involved with their brilliant work.

“In order for these organisations to continue this important project, it is clear that more companies and organisations need to donate their old computer equipment. I want to encourage every organisation to consider collaborating with The Turing Trust to help increase the positive impact they are making in Ghana, Malawi and other African countries.

“I believe it would be a brilliant use of resources if the old computer from The Scottish Parliament were donated to the Turing Trust and put to use in schools in Africa. I look forward to pursuing this with the Corporate Body and helping the Trust to continue their great work.”