Birth of a Dream

Michael has been working successfully as a computer programmer since the early 1980s for the typical "for-profit" corporations. However, deep inside, something has been eating up on him.

"A few years ago it occurred to me that there is more to life than mindlessly pursuing your career and chasing the almighty dollar. What mattered more to me was writing and activism, working to bring about a positive change in this world. For almost thirty years I have worked for others, using my IT skills to line their pockets, and further the digitial divide.  I can no longer do so, and haven"t done for the last little bit".

This restlessness got stronger and stronger so in 2008 he went to the United Nation"s website to look for volunteer opportunities. Much to his surprise, he discovered so many online (virtual) opportunities where you can contribute your skills to help various types of NGOs (non-governmental-organizations). But not many of them were IT-related. Initially, Michael thought he wouldn"t be able to use his IT skills at all to help any non-profit organization. However, fate had better plans for him. He discovered that there was this critical need for computers in Cameroon, since only 20% of students there have access to a computer. This got him thinking - how may old pcs do western societies just throw away? If he could just recycle them, not only can they be of benefit to African children, but doing so will also help preserve our environment. He started corresponding with Emmanuel F. Sevidzem, who is the founder of TechCeFaCos, an NGO (non-governmental organization) in Kumbo, Cameroon. The two of them started hatching up some ideas, and eventually came up with this rallying cry - Computers for Cameroon!

The rest is history. At his basement, Michael has been collecting donations of old pcs and refurbishing them during his spare time. These computers are eventually shipped to Cameroon.

"It starts with cleaning the keyboard, making sure it has no dust. Replacing 'components, taking the hard drive and wiping it clean to make sure there is no memory left on it. Then you put in a new operating system and new software. One of the things we would like to do is install educational software on things such as HIV prevention and agricultural practices but the software that"s needed will be determined at the local level."

That was just the beginning. These days Michael keeps hearing more from other organizations in Canada (where he lives) that would like to donate old pcs. In July 29, 2009, here's what he said:

"The University of New Brunswick just keeps on coming through. Last week 8 PCs and 2 laptops. This week 10 more PCs and they have another 20 or so for next week."

If you wish to contact Michael, you can email him at irishcrows@gmail.com.