Rochdale Business Helps People In Romania

A local business in Rochdale is helping to improve the lives of young people in Romania. CompuCycle take old and unwanted computers, and refurbish them to the original manufacturers condition. These computers can then be passed on to people and communities in the third world. In this instance they have equipped two computer clubs in the Romanian villages of Siria and Taut, set up and run by the Networks Charity Organisation.

The clubs provide access to computing technology in areas where children would otherwise have no access. The Siria Computer Club has between seventy and eighty children attending each day, all from a wide variety of social and ethnic backgrounds. It has also encouraged these children to attend other clubs provided by Networks, such as the Youth Club where large numbers of young people now come to socialise and play games together.

Networks are currently looking for people to volunteer their help for a period of one month or more. There are some specific areas in which help is urgently required. Networks have enough computers to open a third Computer Club, but need people with experience of computer systems, data bases and web design to support and help run the club.

Networks are also looking for volunteers to work in one or more of the following specific areas:

• Micro financing - experience in accounting, or banking, to help the poorest of the poor and help to develop this new area of work
• Administration - this is an often-overlooked area, Networks are looking for people with secretarial or office administration experience
• Tilers and Plumbers – needed to help to finish the bathrooms in around 40 cabins at the summer camp in Taut
• Smallholding farmer - someone with experience in running a small farm who can take over the management and training role at the farm in Siria
• A medium or long term volunteer with experience teaching English as a foreign language

To donate equipment to CompuCycle, please visit their collection centre at 99 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, contact them on 01706 658128, email martin@compucycle.org.uk or visit their web site: www.compucycle.org.uk

If you would like to make a donation of money or equipment, or you can assist by volunteering your time, please contact the Networks Team on 0114 2366859 or email lee@rdslink.ro