The appeal comes from Nuno Loureiro dos Santos, lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Resource Engineering at the University of the Algarve, who commits himself to checking it and getting the equipment to Cape Verde. The lecturer says that all you need to do is contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by email, or the Faculdade de Engenharia de Recursos Naturais Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 FARO, for your computer or laptop, PC or Mac.

To be “actively used” by young people with knowledge of IT to allow them to be in contact with the world through a web-newspaper and a website. You will also be able to see your name included in the list of friends of Rabelados do Espinho Branco once they are present on the web.

Prof. Nuno Loureiro says that the rural community of Rabelados do Espinho Branco, located on the island of Santiago, some 20 km from Tarrafal, retains its social structure based on strong ties of self-help.

In the heart of Rabelados, young “naïf” painters and sculptors appeared who were seeking recognition and an increase in the self-esteem of their community.

Linking technology to the values of the community

Now with a new, young chief, after Agostinho Gonçalves, their charismatic spiritual leader, died last November, Rabelados do Espinho Branco aims to increase its knowledge of IT and the internet, and make its community, its unique values and its art known to the world.

But the remoteness and isolation of the archipelago do not get easier, and to overcome them, at the same time as providing a tool for young people to increase their competitiveness, they need computers!

However, the lecturer at the University of the Algarve stresses that Cape Verde is not a rich country, despite it being a country of peace and democracy and one that is following the path of development and well being.

Nuno Loureiro dos Santos also says that there are still many things lacking, such as computers, which are indispensable for integrating young people into global society and help them to prepare for the challenges of the future.

In this situation and as a friend of Rabelados, Loureiro dos Santos decided to set up this campaign and appeals to people’s sense of solidarity to collect old computers, but ones that are working perfectly, and that are not of much use to people who have bought something more sophisticated.

 

source: algarve observer