The initiative “No computers - no education” has been collecting used laptops since spring 2020 and giving them away to schoolchildren so that they can easily take part in homeschooling.
The project of the association “Asylum in the Oberland” has now received an award from the Evangelical Church.
District
- The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that not every family can afford their own laptop for each of their children. Schoolchildren found it difficult to take part in regular homeschooling because they did not have suitable devices.
Ingeborg Bias-Putzier from the “Asyl im Oberland” development association puzzled over this.
“I was wondering what the situation is like in our district,” says the integration guide at Diakonie Herzogsägmühle.
In the spring of last year, she therefore contacted various schools and usually received the same answer: There was a lack of laptops and computers, especially among children from socially disadvantaged families.
Bias-Putzier then launched the voluntary initiative “No computers - no education” and started a collection campaign.
The response to the call in newspapers and social media was huge.
“So many people got in touch and donated their old laptops,” she says enthusiastically.
And monetary donations were also received in the account of the development association.
The laptops are brought up to date technically
In the beginning, Stefan Osterrieder and Lucas Fritzsche took care of the maintenance of the laptops, but Peter Schubert has taken on the task for some time. “The project couldn't even be carried out without the voluntary helpers,” says Bias-Putzier. “After all, I don't have the IT skills necessary to bring the laptops up to scratch.” After the maintenance, the devices are handed over to the schools and distributed there to the students who do not yet have their own laptop. Bias-Putzier emphasizes that the laptops are given to the students. Many could not believe that at first. "You will then be asked a couple of times whether you have to pay something after all."
According to the integration pilot, almost 100 devices have been given away to date.
And the action continues.
"It is hard to believe, but we are currently in great demand again," says Bias-Putzier.
With the experience of the pandemic, many schools would be more digital.
“Vocational school students in particular need their own laptops to design their presentations.” So if you still want to get rid of your old laptop, you can contact “Asyl im Oberland”.
As shown, the devices will be technically upgraded and passed on.
1000 euro prize from the Evangelical Regional Church
The voluntary commitment of Bias-Putzier and her helpers is now rewarded after one and a half years. The project "No computers - no education" is awarded the honorary prize of the Bavarian regional church. Under the motto “Engagement with a Star”, the initiative will receive a prize worth 1000 euros. According to a press release from the Evangelical Church in Bavaria, “No computers - no education” is an inspiring project that addresses the particular challenges of the pandemic. In addition to the initiative, eleven other projects from all over Bavaria will be honored. The award ceremony will take place on December 4th in Heidenheim Monastery in Middle Franconia. The President of the Regional Synod, Annekathrin Preidel, will also be there.
Ingeborg Bias-Putzier is already looking forward to the appointment and hopes that it can take place regularly.
“We will then use the prize money to purchase additional hardware,” she says.
As it turned out, students not only lack laptos, but also other technical devices such as printers or WLAN adapters.
Contact information:
For laptop donations, contact us by email:
eka@asylimoberland.de