I want to build more computer labs in schools and ultimately an HFC technical community center. Just like a traditional community center in the states, the HFC center will provide a complete modern computing center for those that wouldn’t normally be able to afford access to technology. We plan to offer a reading room stocked with tech books, workbenches for computer repair, training courses (CBT’s, DVD’s), a computer lab for general use and training and of course a killer Internet connection. The idea is to provide a place that many schools could share (reducing the need for multiple, redundant classrooms in one geographical area) and that the community could use to learn computer skills necessary to get a good job and break the vicious cycle of poverty.

This of course takes a lot of money, but thanks in no small part to Dean and Keith for their donations and Chris at Navis Shipping, we now realize that in some cases, money is better spent on shipping used equipment than on buying new equipment here.

To that end, we’re going to start collecting used gear (list coming soon) and shipping it over here.

That’s where I’ll need some help. Chris is located in Greensboro, NC, and he has agreed to continue partnering with us for our shipping needs. What we need is a team to accept shipments of used gear somewhere near Greensboro. The team would need to accept incoming U.S. shipments, unpack the gear, inventory it, test it, assign a value (potential taxes) and take the “good stuff” to Chris, where he’ll send it to us. The remaining gear (impractical for us, 110v gear, etc) would need to be distributed to local charities that need it. This last bit may require a separate team.

It’s a tough gig, depending on how many donations we get, but we can streamline the process by asking for specific gear, and the benefit is huge–these shipments have breathed real life into our work here, and it’s making a HUGE difference in what we’re able to accomplish on a small budget.

If you’re interested, please see the forums here for the discussion or email me if you have any questions (johnny -at- ihackstuff -dot- com).

Thanks!