One man's junk may be another man's treasure, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Deputy Minister Chang Feng-teng (
The "Your Old Computer, His Hope" program marked its 10th anniversary yesterday.
The program began in 1998, with 300 to 600 refurbished computers a year given to social welfare groups, he said. In 2005, the number of computers increased more than a thousand, he said.
"The program was expanded in accordance with the Cabinet's `2008 Challenge -- closing the digital gap between cities and rural areas plan' in 2005," Chang said.
The program, cosponsored this year by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), collected 9,581 processing units and 7,286 monitors from government agencies, or 52 percent of the total collected. Businesses contributed 34 percent, schools 11 percent and homes 3 percent, CIER president Daigee Shaw (蕭代基) said.
Elementary or secondary students received 1,180 of the refurbished computers, while 1,966 went to schools and 654 to welfare agencies, Shaw said.
"A computer is basic equipment for digital work," he said, adding that those who could not afford a PC might not be able to bridge the digital gap.
"Though these computers may not be the most up-to-date, they are perfect first units for economically disadvantaged children who may not otherwise own a personal system," National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent Lin Fang-yue (
"As a child who grew up in the city, it was hard to imagine that the computers we consider `too slow' are treasures for others," said Tai Chang-yan (
"I once installed a system for a child in Ilan County's Dongshan Township [冬山] who did not even have a proper desk to put the computer, so he placed it on top of a shoe rack," he said. "When he got the computer on, his eyes sparkled as he repeatedly stroked it with a big smile on his face."
"When you give, you receive much more in return. I urge other city folks to experience the joy of giving," he said.
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