IPSWICH businesses are today helping African children get a head start in life after donating more than 80 computers to charity.

IPSWICH businesses are today helping African children get a head start in life after donating more than 80 computers to charity.

As part of the Computers 4 Africa scheme computers are being shipped across to Tanzania and given to schools.

Each school will get 20 computers and it is expected to result in 1,750 children getting regular computer lessons, allowing them the opportunity to secure well-paid jobs when they leave school.

Among those donating a computer was Mayor of Ipswich Henry Davies.

He said: “I am very pleased to be handing this computer to the appeal.

“It is one of many hundreds that can make a real difference to children's lives in Africa.

“I am looking forward to hearing from the school which will benefit from its use.”

The donations have come about after national charity Digital Inclusion sent letters to 500 businesses across the town a month ago asking for the donation of any computer equipment no longer needed.

So far more than 80 have been passed on to the charity but the anticipated total tops 100.

George Cook, chief executive of Digital Inclusion, said: “Many of the schools in Tanzania cannot afford pencils and paper so to have computers will be absolutely wonderful for them.

“In the UK it is becoming a problem disposing of second-hand computers but putting them to this use really is life-transforming for the children.

“In Africa there is a shortage of people who know how to use computers.

“This scheme gives hundreds of children the opportunity to earn several times the national wage and transform their lives as well as the lives of their families.”

Weblink:

www.computers4africa.org.uk

n Are you taking part in a charity event? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk