C.A.R.E. (Collect And Recycle Ecologically) Computers For Developing Countries has been established to further the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Anna's speech made in 2001 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rio Summit 1992 and the Johannesburg Summit. He said "Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract (i.e. sustainable development) and turn it into a reality for all the world's people." What is even more daunting a task, is to translate sustainable development and it's various connotations and implications for the benefit of our future young generation. Chapter 36 of Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit established that education is the cornerstone of the sustainable development.

C.A.R.E. Computers For Developing Countries has been established with a two-fold vision. Firstly to assist in the education and development of the less privileged secondary/tertiary school student of the developing country and secondly to help address the environmental issues of dumping of computer waste. Our vision is founded on the desire to help bridge the gap between the student in the development country and his/her counterpart in the developed country through the use of information technology as well as leading the way in encouraging others to responsibly manage waste (irreparable PC's) in a worldwide acceptable manner through the adoption of W.E.E.E legislation.

Simply put, CARE takes redundant computers donated by businesses, schools and other institution here in UK, prepare them for use by deleting the existing data to DOD (Department of Defence) standard and reload the appropriate software prior to shipment to Ghana. As these donors regularly upgrade their computer facilities, existing computers become redundant. C.A.R.E. takes redundant. C.A.R.E. therefore uses that opportunity available not only to help school children in Ghana in their study of I.C.T and access to PC's in general, but also to help our environment by recycling (using approved and acceptable international standards) and raising environmental awareness.

We also share in the government of Ghana's priority educatiob sector policy that states among other issues:

• To increase acces to and participation in education and training at all levels
• Improve efficiency in the delivery of educatiob services
• Improve quality of teaching and learning.

We are aware that whilst government efforts are geared towards achieving the above policy it is somehow hindered in diverse ways by lack of sufficient capital resource to provide the necessary equipment needed to meet these policies. It is in view of these, that CARE Computers for Developing Countries have joined resources with well meaning and reputable institutions in the United Kingdom, anmely B.O.C. Edwards, West Sussex City Council Education Authority, University of Sussex (Innovation Centre) and Reading University to help in our own small way to achieve the following goals;

1. To foster cultural relationships through the use of technology, between West Sussex (UK) schools such as Lyndhurst Primary, Chesswood Middle School, Angmering Sports College, and The Vale School, with senior/junior secondary schools in Ghana.
2. To donate computers to selected Secondary/Tertiary institutions in Ghana, set up computer clubs for them and provide after-care service through qualified IT technicians from our Service and Distribution at Dansoman, Accra.
3. To train and encourage schools to participate in repairs, re-use and recycle (the 3 "R"'s of all computers.
4. To join efforst with Ghana Environmental Agency to encourage schools, colleges, and general public institutions to adopt worldwide acceptable practises in managing unrepairable computers and also raise environmental awareness.

We believe that this project will help to compliment the many diverse efforts of others to bridge the gap between the future leaders of the developing countries with their counterpart collegues in the Western world and also provide a level ground for sound and efficient competition in this global village.

CARE hopes to rely on the support of the gorvernment, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Environmental Agency to bring its vision to reality through adequate media publicity and support as already shown in the UK local media, which has gone a long way and continues to expand rapidly the network of support received.