Rectron, a distributor of computers, peripherals and accessories, has donated ICT equipment to the KwaZulu-Natal Action for Blind and Disabled Children's computer library.
This will enable Action to extend its offering of free computer and IT tuition and skills training to young, blind and disabled students, according to Jean Feuilherade, Rectron's KZN branch manager.
The laboratory received an Intel server and 15GB computers. These will be used by Action's school leavers, who are due to undergo computer training for their Microsoft Office Specialist Certification.
According to Feuilherade, building on a thorough understanding of the organisation's IT infrastructure, and considering Action's existing facilities, Rectron's provision of this ICT equipment will enable Action to empower the students, some of whom have never had exposure to IT or any formalised computer training throughout primary or secondary school.
"Many of the blind and disabled youngsters enrolled with Action come from rural areas and rely purely on government disability grants. It is impossible for them to sustain themselves in areas where tuition is available, and even more of an impossibility to afford their education," he adds.
Ian Bottomley, founder of Action, states that computer and IT training for senior school learners in many disabled schools was unavailable until as late as 2002. "This posed a disastrous situation for our future generation, [who were] leaving school in the 21st century without IT knowledge. This problem was identified by the founders and thus Action was established and registered in 2002," he says.
"Through this technical training and skills development, Action can make a considerable difference to the lives of these individuals as we help them become independent, skilled members of the country's workforce," adds Bottomley.
Feuilherade says his organisation looks forward to hearing about the successes in the computer lab, thanks to the integration of more technology at Action KZN.
"We are absolutely thrilled to supply such an incredibly worthy organisation with equipment. We have worked with Action for some time and have gained massive respect for the incredible work they do with the community," he concludes.
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