More blessings for Boholanos

More blessings for Boholanos | Daily Tribune

As Tzu Chi Bohol (TCB) marked 10 years of humanitarian operation in the island province on Sunday, local communities devastated by past disasters can expect continuous help from the group. Aside from providing “Happy” homes to homeless families, TCB’s counterpart in Taiwan are to continue donating refurbished computers to Bohol’s public schools.

Tzu Chi Philippines volunteer Chris Chen and his Taiwan-based father, Joe Chen, spearhead the sourcing of upgraded second-hand computers from Taiwanese donors for Bohol schools that lack the equipment to help improve the digital literacy of Boholano students.

Joe Chen went through great lengths reaching out to connect with several stakeholders in Taiwan until he was able to convince a securities company, which replaces its computers yearly, that Tzu Chi is sending these discarded computers to help the Philippines. Hearing this, the securities company donated over 100 desktop computers.

The hardware were adjusted to suit the different voltage requirements in the Philippines while the software was upgraded in Taiwan’s Silicon Valley, Hsinchu City. Realizing his determination to help, the technicians were much more than willing to tweak the devices at no cost to Tzu Chi Foundation.

“They (Philippines) are used to using computers entirely in English, and currently, they are using Windows 8. We hoped to upgrade them to Windows 10, and they (Hsinchu) said there was no problem. They (Hsinchu) upgraded the computers to Windows 10, and provided us with new mouse and keyboards, which were all shipped to Bohol, Philippines,” said Joe Chen.

When the securities company saw the photos and videos of the students and teachers from different schools in Bohol happily receiving the computers, they (securities company) committed to continue supporting Tzu Chi by providing 20 desktop computers quarterly. The ripple of goodness began to rollover as more organizations and individuals learned about the project and offered their support.

“Hsinchu took the initiative to apply at a UN-affiliated organization, and they were able to secure the software (Windows 10 — English version). Regarding funding, we’ve already coordinated with Microsoft, and they agreed to provide us with Windows 10 for free. As long as we don’t resell it, they are willing to continue supporting us,” he said.

Aside from the public schools in Bohol benefiting from the computers, Tzu Chi reached out to an Aeta community in Laoay.

In July 2023, about a dozen of Aeta children and young adults were chosen to benefit in the basic computer learning program facilitated by the Carmelite Sisters in Loon. The computers were endowed by Tzu Chi to the monastery through the generous donation of Asus Philippines. For the first time, the Aetas were able to hold on and learn to operate computers. Then, as the computers from Taiwan arrived in Bohol in batches, the tribal children were provided with three desktop computers last March 2024.

Some of the computers were also optimized and configured for the visually impaired users to which two units were given to a school for the blind in Bohol.

By October 2024, Joe Chen has shipped out from Taiwan, 130 units of desktop computers and laptops including 40 units still making its way to Bohol.

As of 10 November 2024, 87 computer units have been distributed to several public schools around the island province. While 19 units of these were set up in the Tzu Chi Bohol office as a resource hub for the Tzu Chi scholars’ use for their school research and project works.

The fast-paced evolution of technology creates a surplus of usable devices that can be redirected toward charitable efforts. In harnessing this surplus, Tzu Chi Bohol intends to address social challenges while benefiting those who receive the technology and also to promote environmental sustainability by reducing resource wastage.