Cornell University donates computers to GB schools

By Yasmin Popescu

yasmin@nasguard.com

A number of schools in Grand Bahama received computers from the Cornell University through the Cornell Computer Reuse Association.

This club, a few years ago, was contacted by Joseph Kohler, III, who is a resident of Grand Bahama in an effort to assist with the need for computers in the schools and community centers in Grand Bahama.

Kohler, said he contacted the his sister Kim Kohler-Lovejoy, who is also a Cornell graduate to help him find some assistance. She turned him over to the Club Advisor, Al Heiman, who is also the CIT?Labs Student Manager.

Heiman explained that the club began when some students thought of finding something to do with the newly replaced computers at the University.

"Because I work in IT?I knew computers were being stock piled at various places around the campus, waiting to go to the recycler," he stated. "I thought, what if I could somehow intercept these and find places to donate them. So, when I met up with Joe it actually began to happen."

He said they did a lot of work to get it to happen and so far they have made donations to schools in New York, as well as in Africa, and the Caribbean.

He stated that they have, to date, placed over 1,200 computers in 13 African countries, Nicaragua, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jamaica, Mexico and all over upstate New York.

"We've concentrated primarly on schools, and significant areas like fire departments.

"We work very closely with Cornell's Institute for African Development because what they do is create relationship with Universities and schools in Sub-Saharan Africa and bring students over to learn at Cornell and like us they are looking for ways to help out."

Heiman said he and Muna Ndulo of that group have a common goal to get this program going, and once its going to start an international outreach.

Kohler noted however that the largest recipient of computers since the program began is Grand Bahama.

© 2012 The Freeport News