IT industry charity
Computer Aid
International is inviting IT professionals and PC enthusiasts
to join a fund-raising expedition across the remote Simien
Mountains in Ethiopia next year.
Every person who takes part will kit out an Ethiopian school
with a complete suite of 20 PCs, providing around 1,000 children
with the IT skills they will need to find work, access higher
education or start a business.
The expedition will span nine days, from 28 February to 8 March
2009, with a full five days' trekking off the beaten track, with
sight-seeing opportunities in Addis Ababa and historic Gonder.
Starting in the eucalyptus groves of Debark, the trekking
party's route will include a trip through the Wazla Valley and a
climb to Imet Gogo, the best known observation point in the
Simien
Mountains at 3,926m above sea level.
Participants will also get to visit a school using
Computer Aid PCs, to see how their efforts will benefit
children in the developing world.
Open to anyone of average fitness, IT professionals and PC
enthusiasts can take part in the Ethiopia trek for £199, plus
minimum sponsorship.
The sponsorship pays for Computer Aid's work in equipping
Ethiopian schools with IT facilities and also meets the cost of
flights, transport and accommodation.
Computer Aid will provide all participants with training and
fund-raising help.
The challenge builds on the success of previous Computer Aid
fund-raising events in Kenya, Cuba and Madagascar, which have
together equipped over 80 schools and hospitals with IT
facilities.
Louise Richards, CEO at Computer Aid International, said,
"Around five billion people in the world have no access to IT
equipment, but IT skills are vital to address the underlying causes
of poverty in the developing world.
"By joining our Ethiopia adventure the IT industry can actively
help Computer Aid provide Ethiopian schools with the hardware,
training and support that we all take for granted in the UK."