I've raised £12000 to close the digital divide and support families with remote learning
Organised by Community Laptops
Story
Due to the pandemic, schools and families in the UK are having to suddenly support home schooling, an impossible task without a device or wifi. The demand is now huge.
Since the announcement of school closures on January 4th, every day we have had several schools (both primary and secondary) contact us in urgent need of devices. We have schools from boroughs across London, Manchester and Kent on our waiting list - each with between 30 - 190 children - in need of a device. As one teacher from a primary school in Greenwich, London, said to us:
"We are getting phone calls from parents every day asking for devices either because they do not have any or because they do not have enough devices for all their children, so they are having to choose which sibling can access the live learning on any given day."
ONS stats for 2020 show that 4 million children live in child poverty and around 9 million people nationwide live in digital poverty. No one should have to live in digital isolation and no child should be left behind due to their families socio-economic status.
We have called upon organisations to donate their unused devices and had some success. In just a month, we have been able to supply 28 laptops to 28 families. One recipient said:
“It has been very difficult having access to the internet and Microsoft software from a phone only, having this laptop will open many opportunities for us”
However, there are hundreds more that need our support. If you don't have a device to donate or would like to support the cause, we are raising funds to purchase more devices for folks who need it the most. Each pre-loved device costs on average £150 - £200. Our target would allow us to buy around 50 devices, a drop in the ocean but still 50 more families who can continue their education!
For more information please see our website www.communitylaptops.co.uk
Thank you for all of your support.
“I normally have to wait up to 3pm to start my work as my younger brother’s use the laptop before me, having this laptop will mean I can start my work at 9am” - A primary school pupil who received a laptop, Mile End, East London
*Note: Community Laptops is a CIC meaning 100% of all donations go to this cause.
