Seelze. Almost everyone has a smartphone. But laptops are much more important as digital devices that can be used for working and learning. Students now regularly use laptops to do Internet research and write assignments. But not every family can afford such a device. For five years, the Seelze Community Foundation has been collecting used laptops, preparing them and distributing them to children and young people. Currently the need is greater than the supply and donations are urgently needed.
Read more after the announcement
Read more after the announcement
The municipal foundation has been supporting the “RoboCup” groups at the Georg-Büchner-Gymnasium for some time. In working groups, young people build and program small robots. The school regularly participates in competitions with these “Robos”. Five years ago Evelyn Werner, president of the community foundation, visited the high school again. It was then that he realized that there were students in Seelze who had to do without laptops for financial reasons. At the same time, Werner’s not-so-new but working laptop was gathering dust unused in the corner of his study. Then he thought, “It may have a new purpose.” And the idea was born.
Discarded laptops are refurbished
Shortly thereafter, the community foundation started the new project. “We collect used laptops that also end up in household drawers,” explains Werner. The discarded laptops are refurbished by PC specialist Thomas Rasche and his two sons. “All devices are serviced,” Werner emphasizes. All data on hard drives would be erased, old memories and faulty parts would be replaced, making the devices usable again. The community foundation has distributed around 300 such laptops so far.
Read more after the announcement
Read more after the announcement
Seelze Community Foundation PC Specialist: Thomas Rasche redesigns each donated laptop and turns the devices into powerful learning tools for students.
Source: private
More laptops will be distributed on Tuesday, December 10th at Seelzer’s “Christmas Dinner to Go,” Seelzer’s big breadbasket charity drive. So that as many children and young people as possible can receive such a computer, the municipal foundation is asking for further donations of laptops. Donors can contact the foundation by email at vorstand@buergerstiftung-seelze.de or by telephone at (05137) 92921.
HAZ
What are the challenges faced by the Seelze Community Foundation in collecting and refurbishing laptops for students?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Evelyn Werner, President of Seelze Community Foundation
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Evelyn. What inspired you to start this initiative of collecting and refurbishing laptops for students in Seelze?
Evelyn Werner: Thank you for having me! The inspiration actually came during a visit to the Georg-Büchner-Gymnasium. I noticed that some students were struggling without laptops, which are now essential for their education. It struck me as a serious issue, especially since I had a working laptop at home that I no longer used. I thought, “If I’m not using it, why not give it a new purpose?”
Editor: That’s a wonderful initiative! Can you explain how the process of collecting and refurbishing these laptops works?
Evelyn Werner: Absolutely! We gather used laptops that might be gathering dust in people’s homes. Once we have them, local PC specialist Thomas Rasche and his sons take care of refurbishing them. They ensure that all data is erased, faulty parts are replaced, and memory issues are resolved. This way, we can ensure that the laptops are not only usable but also safe for the students to use.
Editor: It sounds like quite an operation! How many laptops have you distributed so far, and what kind of impact have you seen?
Evelyn Werner: So far, we’ve distributed around 300 laptops! The impact has been transformative. Students who were previously unable to participate fully in their education now have the tools they need to do research and complete assignments. You can see their confidence grow as they become more engaged in their learning.
Editor: With the ongoing demand, how does the community respond to your call for donations? Is it enough to meet the needs?
Evelyn Werner: The community has been incredibly supportive, but unfortunately, the need still outweighs our supply. We’re always in urgent need of more donations. Many families simply can’t afford to buy new laptops, and we want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed academically.
Editor: That’s a poignant reminder of the digital divide that still exists. What do you envision for the future of this initiative?
Evelyn Werner: I hope we can expand our reach and help more students, not only in Seelze but potentially in neighboring areas as well. We want to establish partnerships with local businesses and organizations to increase our laptop collection and refurbishment capacity. Ultimately, our goal is to make technology accessible to every student, regardless of their financial situation.
Editor: It sounds like you have a comprehensive vision. How can our readers help if they want to get involved?
Evelyn Werner: We would love any support, whether it’s donations of used laptops, funding for refurbishment, or even volunteers to help spread the word. Every little bit helps us make a difference in the lives of these students.
Editor: Thank you, Evelyn. Your dedication to this cause is inspiring, and we appreciate your time today. We hope our readers will take action!
Evelyn Werner: Thank you! Together, we can make a significant impact on the future of these young people.