An innovative partnership tackles e-waste and creates opportunity
In today’s world, technology becomes outdated faster than ever — and most of it ends up in landfills. The E-Waste to Empowerment project, a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Waterfront (RCW), the Vineyard Hotel, and the Salesians Institute Youth Projects (SIYP), shows how yesterday’s hardware can power tomorrow’s opportunities.by Salesian students — young people from NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) programmes.🖥️
NEET youth gain vital skills by refurbishing donated computers
Through this initiative, donated computers were refurbished by young people from NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) programmes (Salesians). The refurbished devices have already been distributed to beneficiary schools and community organisations, including Rahmaniyeh Primary School, Athlone North Primary School, Christine Revell Children’s Home, and the Rotary Club of Durbanville for their learning centres and farm schools — helping bridge the digital divide where access to technology is still uneven.
The project demonstrates a powerful circular economy model
This is the circular economy in action: protecting the environment, reducing waste, and empowering youth all at once. But we can’t stop here. To take this project to the next level, we urgently need access to more devices. For this proof of concept, RCW has provided the outstanding hardware — including memory upgrades and essential cables — to make the units workable. With your support, more learners can get involved and more schools can receive the equipment they need.🌟
Refurbished devices bridge the digital divide for schools and NGOs
Together, we can turn e-waste into empowerment. Every refurbished computer is a step towards opportunity. Special thanks to Martin Coleman for connecting us with the Vineyard Hotel, Mymoena Ismail and the SIYP management team for unlocking this opportunity for their students, and to Michelle Whitehead, Piet Postema, Ralph Roseman, Carol Miller, and the President of RC Durbanville for ensuring the equipment reached the beneficiaries for learning and administrative purposes.🖥️
The collection and delivery process completes the circle
Below, Martin loading up his vehicle at the Vineyard Hotel with donated computers to be refurbished by Salesian students — young people from NEETs .👏👏👏
10 computers find a new home at an EarlyAct school
10 computers refurbished by young people from NEETs (Salesians) were delivered to Rahmaniyeh Primary in District 6, one of our Early Act Schools. A complete circle. Thanks to all concerned.🙏🙏 Learners help to unload the refurbished computers on arrival.
