Miguel Angel Costop delivers a computer to a home for 16 abused and abandoned girls in Salcaja run by Capuchin nuns, October 27, 2007.

 
TRIP TO GUATEMALA DECEMBER 7 TO DECEMBER 22, 2007.

The main purpose of this trip was to be godfather to Triny’s first communion in Jacaltenango on December 11, 2007.
 

One of Triny’s sister (a twin) is helping Triny get ready. It was a really big deal for this 12 year old. December 11, 2007

Pinata after ther first communion. For me it was fun trying to pull the pinata out of reach of the kids, which was probably not in the right spirit. December 11, 2007.

 

In addition to the first communion, some 240 celebrated their confirmation. Here the bishop corfims a young man, which ends with the bishop slapping the young man three times hard on his neck. He gently taps the young women. December 11, 2007.

Lunch reception and cakes for “everyone” after the communion. December 11, 2007.
 

The day after landing in Guatemala City and on the way to the first communion, I stopped in Esquitla to see a parrachial school where 15 computers were delivered. Here are five servers donated by Samoset in Darien, Ct. December 9, 2007

We also visited a semiary where five computers were donated. Here is one donated by Streeter Technologies. December 9, 2007.

Ten computers were allocated to the parrachial school in Ixtahuacan, my Peace Corps town. On the right is the director of the school Erny Ramos and her husband. On the left is kindergarten teacher Chico Ramirez who I worked with almost 40 years ago. Chico and Erny have agreed to coordinate distribution of computers to other schools in their area, which is great because Ixtahuacan and Erny are the first to accept my new policy of opening up their computer lab to other schools in their town. They have already convinced the parrochial scool in nearby Colotenango to open their computer lab as a condition of getting computers. These are two people I can really trust. December 14, 2007.
 

Eulalia Paiz, Quaker medical student, with a computer donated by Tucker Lee. December 2007.
 

We had an incredible, and too short, late afternoon sail on this 22 foot sailboat docked in front of the Posada Santiago, on a very puffy lake. December 17, 2007.
 

One pleasant surprise and a major change from Peace Corps days was being able to buy a half galon of ice cream from an ice cram shop in Ixtahuacan. Here everone gets a cone in Juana’s home. December 19, 2007.
 

 
 
TRIP TO GUATEMALA SEPT 13 TO OCT 2, 2007

CULTURAL NIGHT IN SANTA EULALIA

By far, the high light of this trip was the unexpected delight of a cultural night presented by the students and teachers of Santa Eulalia and San Juan Ixcoy, Huehuetenango, given in Santa Eulalia. Through Rafaal Juarez, who lives in Santa Eulalia, and who manages the recreation park in Ixtahuacan, the two towns heard of this computer project. When they heard I was coming to Guatemala they hurriedly put together an hour and a half cultural night of traditional dances, poems, songs, and speeches, just for Eulalia and me, to impress upon us their desire to have computers. The final act was a young woman in traditional dress from Santa Eulalia, whose name was Eulalia. She first spoke in her Maya language, then in Spanish, and then to my astonishment, in fluent English, about why they wanted computers. It was very emotional. If there was any thought of dropping this project, it ended there. She just giggled like any young teenager when we later met. She and her family had been illegal immigrants in Champagne Illinois where she went to middle school, and her family had recently returned to Guatemala. The event showed their ability as great lobbyists, and what a great evening, which ended with a fun dinner with the teacehrs, with more speeches, and getting to know each other. These two towns think this is Eulalia’s project, she being the primary contact person, so she thought the dinner was amusing, and unusual for a woman, to be the center of so much attention from older men of authority. I enjoyed watching the dynamics. The next day we toured the two schools that wanted the computers, and the two towns. I took a lot of great pictures, all out of focus (better to learn a new camera before going on a trip). This encounter confirmed to me the importance of knowing where the computers go: the teachers, administrators, students, and the economic situation of the town. The need was very clear. We talked about the curriculm, how many computers were really needed, rather than wanted, and how best to secure the windows and doors so no one could break in to steal the computers. One of the schools doesn’t exist yet, but starts in January as a forestry schhol, and will share facilities with another existing school. Like good teachers everywhere, these teachers were committed to their students. I just wish I could show you photos of the students, teachers, and towns. We had been late the night before and rushed from Ixtahuacan to get to the cultural night, at night over winding roads along cliffs, but on the way back during the day time we could enjoy the magnificant views (see About Guatemala page).
 
 

Cultural Night traditional dance. September 17, 2007.
 
NEW MEMBERS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sister Romelia Chacun Murgia, General Secretary, Catholic missionary order

Brooke Mc Ilvaine, community activist

David Milholland,
Co-founder and President of Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission, is on the Steering Committee of Labor Arts Forum. A multiple award winning filmmaker and journalist, he edited Clinton St. Quarterly . His term on the Tri-Met Art Advisory Committee encompassed the Interstate Light Rail project. He received the 2004 Stewart Holbrook award for distinguished contributions to Oregon literary arts. He was a Group XI Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala from 1968-70.

Louis Russi, Attorney

Nora Williams, MD

DONATION OF LAPTOPS TO STUDENTS IN KENYA

John and Marilyn Parker, members of Noroton Presbyterian Church, visit Kenya regularly for extended periods, to work with students supported in part by Noroton Presbyterian Church. Here John is with Carolyne Kinyori, in Nairobi during the Parker’s trip last summer. We gave a laptop to John who sent it to Carolyne with Rev. Evalyn Wakkusama from Kenya, who was visiting in Darien in October. Calolyne, age 21, is a student at Daystar University in Kenya, studying community development and journalism. Photo by Marilyn Parker.
 

Wendy Wakhusama, daughter of Evalyn Wakhusama, who also got a laptop, here at the ground breaking for a school in Western Kenya. Wendy is a student at US International University in Kenya, studying international relations. Photo by Maryln Parker

Thank you email received from Wendy Nov 26, 2007:

Hello Don and Jeffery,

My name is Wendy Wakhusama and I am from Kenya. I am a currently a student in United States International University in Kenya. I received a laptop from both of you through John and Merliyn Parker, and I would really like to thank you for it. It was a nice gift from both of you. I am really grateful for the support. Thank you once again and God bless,

Yours sincerely,

Wendy Wakhusama
.
 

 

Second shipment of 110 computers in Catholic Charites warehouse in Guatemala City, after one month in transit by container ship from Newark with a stop in Nassau. Meme Romero (right) and Jaime Torres from the Quaker Scholarship Program are picking up the computers, monitors, printers, and spare parts that were allocated to them. Is Meme working and Jaime supervising? Photo by Miguel Angel Costop. October 15, 2007

 

 
Miguel Angel Costop, who as boss mangaged up to now to avoid any heavy lifting by saying he was busy taking pictures, was forced to help or face a coup. Fortunately he managed to find the smallest, and lightest, box to carry from their truck into their offices in Parramos. Good work Miguel Angel! October 2007.

i
Migual Angel emailed this with the caption “mess in ofice.” This is the Quaker scholarship program office in Parramos, which received 24 monitors, 28 computers, 31 printers, and lots of spare parts. October 19, 2007.
 

 
Jaime, staff member of the Quaker Scholarship Program, giving a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer to student Roberto Bulux October 21, 2007.

 
REPRINT OF AN ARTICLE FROM THE DARIEN TIMES, AUGUST 2, 2007
Author: Susan Shultz; Times Reporter
Section: Lifestyles
Title: Bring technology to Guatemala
Text:

Donald Livingston is passionate about Guatemala.

Since serving there in the Peace Corps in the late 1960s, Livingston has paid for countless scholarships for students, has bought land where he is developing a playground and a school, and most recently, is collecting computer donations for groups of Guatemalan students.

The computer project began in 2005, and Livingston is so passionate about it, he was almost too depressed to continue about a week ago.

“I started to think about whether they really needed the computers,” he said.

Then, Livingston said, miracles started happening.

He had received a group of computers from a corporate donation, but the company removed all the hard drives first.

“It’s cheaper to do that than delete all the confidential files,” Livingston said.

He had no idea where to get the new hard drives or how much they would cost.

Livingston called a friend for help, and the friend was able to buy the necessary hard drives off eBay and donated them to the cause.

Then, he got a call that his neighbor had a wealthy aunt who donated money to worthy causes. Livingston’s neighbor said all he had to do was fill out the paperwork, and the money would be his. He was thrilled and got recharged for the project.

And bottom line, to emphasize the need, he obtained a report from the nuns he works with in Guatemala analyzing the need for many more computers and exactly where they would be placed.

The computer project started in December 2005, when Livingston was speaking with the nuns he worked with on scholarships he provided in Guatemala.

The nuns told him about starting a computer lab and asked if he could arrange for computer donations. Working with the Sugar Bowl, Livingston put up signs asking for donations and got about 20 computers.

“We were asking friends if they had computers under desks, or in a garage, that they don’t want to throw away,” he said.

Livingston made arrangements to ship the computers through Catholic Charities.

Now, he has about 110 to ship in about two weeks. To save on shipping materials, he fills the shipping containers with stuffed animals and other items from the Darien Community Association Thrift Shop.

Livingston has had a great deal of help from the community. On his Web site, computersforguatemala. com, he documents the friends, businesses, church members and neighbors who have helped his cause. The site also provides contact information for those who wish to donate computers, or their time to help ship them. He also needs storage space for the computers as his garage is not big enough to hold all the machines.

Livingston is also excited about the school that will go on the property he owns in Guatemala.

“There is an American living there, he’s about 35, he’s getting married and will stay there, and said he wants to use my land to build a Montessori school. His wife is a teacher, and will also use the land as an agricultural demonstration project,” Livingston said.

He said that is “exactly” what he wanted the land used for.

There will still be enough land left to build a home and a park for the locals.

Livingston has been salvaging playground equipment to send along with the computers. He recently found a slide that is in excellent shape. He’s also been in contact with the Darien School District, asking for donations from its playgrounds.

Livingston also is trying to build a basketball court on the playground, and is seeking donations. He asks anyone interested to contact him through his Web site.

Recently, he felt the impact again of the difference between our society and that of Guatemala. One of the many students he has subsidized through school came to visit.

“We come from a society where we have everything,” he said.

He took the student to visit the Noroton Yacht Club, and there was a cell phone left from the evening before, and the student couldn’t believe the cell phone had not been stolen.

Livingston said in addition to seeking computer donations and help with the procedure for storing and sending computers, he would ask that people consider donating scholarships. That information is also available on his Web site.

“It costs $2,000 a year to send a student in Guatemala to medical or law school, and it takes four or five years to complete,” he said.

Livingston asked where else you would get such a “bang for your buck.”

“They don’t have enough doctors. Do the math. It is such an opportunity for someone. For $10,000, how many lives will you save?”

Livingston also pointed out that about 80 percent of the kids he works with are pure Mayan.

“They have been exploited for about 500 years since their conquest by the Spanish, 1500 something I think, and are just realizing their right to be equal, and are finally getting a little attention from their government. There is even a sense of emerging pride of being Mayan,” he said.

Livingston quoted one of the Guatemalan nuns on the importance of the computer donations.

“Because of the advances in technology in our time, to know how to use a computer is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity,” she wrote to him.

Livingston is especially interested in bulk donations from those out of town, as it makes the trip worthwhile, but will take singles and small amounts of computer donations from locals.

Anyone interested in donating computers, money for the playground, or scholarships, as well as their time, should contact Livingston via his Web site, computersforguatemala.com.sshultz@darientimes.com

Caption:
Christoph Hanau makes sure a donated computer is ready to head to Guatemala.

Donald Livingston packs a container full of donated computers for Guatemala.(Darien Times/LaureenVellante photos)

Copyright, 2007, The Darien Times
Record Number: 11AE15B8F4A182C0

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During the months of October and November 2007 15 Quaker scholarship students received computers, monitors, and printers. Nine more will get computers in January when they return from vacation. Almost all of these students are Maya, and bilingual in Spanish and one of 23 Mayan languages. Miguel Angel Costop, Director of the Quaker program, said in an email today “As you can see, in many cases several members of the family came to pick up the computers. I have no doubt that the event was something very important to them. The parents usually gave us very respectful thanks for the gift (of computers).” January 15, 2008.
 

Nohelia Cun Apen, far left, with her parents and three siblings, taken at the Quaker’s office. Nohelia studies accounting, a secondary career, and comes from San José Poaquil, Chimaltenango. She is 16, speaks the Mayan language Kaqchikel, and is the first of 7 children, so all of them are potential users of the machine. Right now there is another sister studying basicos that is fully using the computer also. She said she uses it basically for word processing and lots of spread sheets (Excel) in order to do her accounting homework. The computer came without hard disk and programs so we gave her one of the hard disks you sent and for the installation of that, programs, antivirus and something she called “faja” (band?) she was charged Q360 ($50). She says everybody at home is very happy because buying a new one would have meant at least ten times that amount.” October 31, 2007. DELL PENTIUM III DONATED BY LAURA LEEDS.
 
 

Enrique Jom Lem, at a hotel in Coban where the students come every month for interviews to report on their progress and to pick up their checks. Miguel Angel reports: “He is 31, speaks the Mayan language Poqomchi, and is in the last year of secondary teaching at a private university in Quiché. He comes from Aldea Pajuil, in Chicamán, El Quiche and is married with two children. He reports the computer is all fine, the only problem is having the programs in English but he has been using it in that way. He went to Cobán to find out how much will cost for him the change the system to Spanish and he was told it will cost Q1500!!($200) We told him that was too much and gave him some suggestions on where to go. Because his village is very far away it is not very easy for him to bring his computer and make the change. At least he knows now how much it should cost.” November 20, 2007.  
 

Benjamin Garcia Barreno. Miguel Angel reports: “He only had to change to Spanish and buy a new keyboard because the one given didn’t work properly. For this he spent Q230 ($30). Benjamín lives in Paraje Pujacar a village of Totonicapán in the western highlands. He is 28 years old, speaks the Mayan language K’iche, married, with 2 children: 5 and 4 years old. He is studying at university in order to become a secondary teacher and then continue to be a “licenciado” (6 years career) in education. He says he practically didn’t know anything about computers but with the gift he could learn, mostly by himself, during vacations how to use the basics and to use Word and Excel which is what he will use the most. He also says he has started to teach his kids how to use the computer so they don’t have the same problem he had.” COMPUTER DONATED BY WARREN RANSOM, DARIEN.
 
 

Ana Elizabeth Sirin, with her parents and two little sisters. Miguel Angel reports: “She is 17 years old, speaks K’iche, and studies bilingual elementary teaching (secondary level) in a boarding national school in Chimaltenango. She is from Caserío Chuacruz, in San José Poaquil, Chimaltenango. She has 4 siblings, one older who is also an elementary teacher but unemployed. She left the computer at home and uses it on the weekends when she goes to visit her family. Although she explains her oldest sister is using it in order to learn computers since she plans to go on to university in the future. Ana explains that three other cousins are coming to learn how to use it and she uses the machine to do her weekend homework which according to her is an awful lot! Before having the computer she had to pass first to her town and spend a couple of hours at an internet café to make her homework before getting home on the weekends. Now she can go straight home and do the work at her house.” October 2007.
 

Carlos Enrique Butz Caal, left. Miguel Angel reports: “Carlos is 22, speaks the Mayan language Q’eqchi, lives in Aldea Chaimal, San Pedro Carchá, Alta Verapaz, in the northern highlands of the country. He is studying to become a professional nurse, which is a three years university career. At the end of last year we gave him a computer from “SEUSA” but then he called to say it needed a hard disk, mother board and some other things. For this he would have to pay about Q1,500 ($200), so we decided to give him another one. In January he got this very nice Compaq computer. He says he is sharing the computer with 3 younger sisters studying basicos and one in primary. November 21, 2007.
 

Jaime Torres, Quaker bookkeeper, giving a computer to Gloria Marina Enrique Lara. Miguel Angel reports: Gloria is 19 years old, does not speak a Mayan language, and lives with her mother and two younger sisters in a very humble house in San José Poaquil, Chimaltenango. Because of the need of money, the three sisters have to work and she is the only one that has started a secondary career: elementary teacher. Although she says now with the computer her sisters have shown some interest in learning about how it works and probably will start their studies again. She has taken the machine now to change the programs to Spanish and a general test. She still doesn’t know how much it would cost.” GLORIA’S COMPUTER WAS DONATED BY STREETER TECHNOLOGY. Jaime also got a laptop. October 30, 2007.
 

Braulio Mardoqueo Mendez Juarez, with his father. Reports Miguel Angel “Bruno is 21, speaks the Mayan language Mam, is from Aldea Chipomal in Concepción Tutuapa, San Marcos. He is in his last year of bilingual elementary education at a semi-boarding catholic school in the department of Sololá. The school gives them food but not a place to stay. He is renting a room with other 2 friends in a house of with about 10 guests. He says he had to pay about Q125 ($16) to make some repairs to the machine (he couldn’t remember what exactly). He says the other boys staying at the same house sometimes use the computer, especially to do written reports. They have agreed to buy the ink for the printer together every time it is finished. The other boys are studying the same career at the same school.”
 

Albertina Sanic Chipix, far left, with her parents and siblings. Miguel Angel reports: “The computer was ok. She only needed to change to Spanish the OS, for this she paid Q175.00 ($23). Albertina is studying to become an elementary teacher (secondary career) and is 21 years old and lives with her parents and 5 younger siblings. They live in aldea Hacienda María, one hour from her town, San José Poaquil in Chimaltenango. One brother is studying basico (junior high school) at his village and both Albertina and her brother are using the computer. She says they have started to teach her youngest siblings, three of whom are in elementary school. According to her without this help her brothers and sisters wouldn’t have the chance to even know a computer.”
 

Victor Manuel Ixim Colorado, receiving his computer at a hotel in Coban. Miguel Angel reports: “Victor is 35 years old, speaks the Mayan language Poqomchi, is married, and has 5 children, three of them in primary. He is studying secondary bilingual teaching and says now things are much easy with his studies because since he studies on a weekend plan, group meetings and homework are very common. What they usually do is divide the homework the group has and everybody has to do his part at home and then they put all the parts together. For him this was particularly complicated because his village, Belejú, in Chicamán, Quiché barely has electricity so he had to go to town, almost an hour by car or three walking. Another advantage he sees is that his children are already discovering how to use a computer. He had to pay Q100 to change the OS to Spanish and put new programs. He also bought a battery and a new printer because the one he got didn’t work. But he says he is very happy and says thanks a lot for the gift.” November 21, 2007. COMPUTER DONATED BY BOB BANTLE, DARIEN.
 

Boxes marked with an “X” in a circle were cheaper single wall corrugated boxes, so it was intersting to see that they did not do as well in transit as the more expensvive double wall 275 lb boxes. You can almost see the contour of the back of the monitor in the larger box.
 

Micaela Tzaj Cotiy, right, with her younger sister. Is Micaela smiling because she is the one getting a computer? Miguel Angel reports: “She is 27, from Nahuala, Solola, speaks the Mayan language K’iche, and is in her sixth year of bilingual education. She has reported that the computer if working fine after changing to Spanish the OS and buying a new mouse since the one she got was old and didn’t work fine. She said she had to pay Q300 ($40) for both things. She is using it a lot since this year they have their seminar (which is some kind of class investigation they do during almost the whole year) and they have to do a lot of reports.” October 31, 2007.
 

Jaime, staff member of the Quaker Scholarship Program, giving a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer to student Roberto Bulux. Miguel Angel reports: “He is 18 years old and lives in Aldea Vista Bella, Tecpán, Chimaltenango. He is studying agriculture at the secondary level. He and his younger brother live with their grandmother since his father died and the mother abandoned them several years ago. For them getting a computer was something really big because they barely got money to buy their school supplies. Roberto explains he had to pay Q200 ($26) for making some changes in his computer. He had to work several weekends in the fields in order to collect that money but now the computer is working fine. It is very valuable for him since he studies all day and gets home late in the evening. It was common for him to spend a night with some friend with computers but now he can do his homework at home.” October 21, 2007.
 

Elvira Ramirez Mejia. Miguel Angel reports: “She is 20, speaks the Mayan language Mam, is the first of 12 children living in a community of refugees who returned from Mexico several years ago. She lives in San José El Carmen, Patulul, Suchitepequez in the south coast. She is studying secondary teaching with specialization in physics and math. She reported she started to use the computer and it was working fine but then she had some problems and the computer started to get frozen. She took the computer to Antigua, where she has friends, and they are checking it now. She still doesn’t know what the problem is neither the cost.” October 26, 2007.
 
 

Edgar Rudy Tepaz Con, Reports Miguel Angel “Edgar speaks K’iche, is 25 years old and studying secondary teaching (math and physics) at university in Quetzaltenango. Edgar lost one arm during an electrical accident several years ago and that plus the fact he is coming from a very poor family from Antigua Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá have complicated a lot his dreams, including studying. He has tried hard to study, that’s why we decided to give him one of the computers in order to stimulate him to keep going. He reports the computer is being of great use and value for him because he usually had to pay internet cafes at other towns and the fact of not having one arm makes traveling in buses, and sometimes pick ups, something very hard. Edgar says he had to pay Q800 ($105) to the man who re-formatted the computer and had to do other things to the computer. We explained to Edgar that he was probably cheated by that person because we know that kind of work usually costs around Q100-Q200 but, at least the computer is in good shape now. October 30, 2007. COMPUTER DONATED BY WARREN RANSOM, DARIEN.
 

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José María studies law at university Mariano Galvez in Totonicapàn, he lives in Aldea Chuanoj, Toto. He says there are four constantly users of the machine: two sisters, one in secondary and another one at university and himself. There is another sister in primary and even she is learning now how to use the computer. José had pay Q150 to change the programs to Windows XP in Spanish and a new free antivirus. He is very grateful and happy for the gift because he says now studying for him and his sisters have become much easier because they don’t have to pay for renting a computer. His only concern is that sometimes they have wait in line in order to use the machine!!
 
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Miguel Angel reports: “This young student lives in Aldea San Marcos, San Juan Chamelco in Alta Verapaz and studies professional nursing in Cobán. His family has currently 12 members, including 2 nephews and the mother, the father is dead. The three oldest brothers, including Oscar, are working and studying. One of them is a teacher and both Oscar and the other one don’t have a permanent job. The computer he received is now being used by the three brothers studying at the university. According to Oscar they are very happy because now they don’t have to .” DELL INSPIRON LAPTOP 3500 LAPTOP DONATED BY TUCKER LEE.
 
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Miguel Angel reports: “Gabriel is 20 years old, studying agronomy at a secondary level. He is from Aldea El Limonar, Jacaltenango (I guess you know what town is this) He is studying at a national school in San Marcos. He asked for money to buy a computer since this is his last year and there are a lot of reports he has to do, especially when he starts his final practice. We know he comes from a poor campesino family so we gave him one of the computers. He explained he had to pay Q200 for re-formatting the computer and now it is working fine. He came all the way from San Marcos by bus and took the computer back plus the printer on the same way.”
 

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Miguel Angel reports: “Santos studies law at the San Carlos University in Cobán, he comes from Cuarto Pueblo, a community in the Ixcán, Quiché. Since last year he asked money to buy a computer since law requires a lot of written homework. This year we gave him this lap top and we heard back from him that the computer was ok, but he wanted to upgrade the operating system to Windows XP and a more recent Office version. For this he had to pay between Q700 – Q800 which he thought he could get the money. We explained him that only changing to Spanish the OS will cost him less, but he decided he will do the whole thing, including up grading the memory. He said, if I pay this amount I will have a better computer and I will be saving money by not going to an internet café. I guess he is right and at the end he will be saving money.” LAPTOP DONATED BY THE SCHLINKERT FAMILY, DARIEN, NOW IN ENGLAND.

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John Geoghegan, decorated WW II navy flier and navy reservist, small plane instructor and pilot, retired electro/mechanical engineer, Darien resident and recent student of Spanish at Adult Education in Darien, donated use of his garage to store computers and monitors after they are packed. What a relief! Computers had so taken over our garage that I couldn’t get to a rake and I didn’t want to see another computer. Now my car has a home again, and I have no excuse not to do yard work. Many thanks John! November 25, 2007.

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Uncle Stanley Livingston, here at home in Bristol Rhode Island at Thanksgiving, donated an almost new printer. Uncle Stan, almost 90 years young, and wife Martha are still going stong, sailing on their boat and planning a “road trip” around Florida this winter visitng friends. Thanks Uncle Stan!

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Dave Aldrich has made countless trips from New York City to Darien bringing computers and monitors. Here with daughter Katy at home of aunt and uncle Marty and Stan Livingston, Thanksgiving 2007. Thanks Dave, and Katy for keeping your dad in line.

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Cory Visi (left) and Frank Jones, principles of GC InfoTech in Stamford have offered to ask their clients to donate computers when they upgrade. Cory and Frank have also offered to design an online support forum attached to this web site so that people in Guatemala can ask questions about their computers which Frank, Cory or other volunteers can answer on line. Cory is active with scouting in Darien and is looking into the possibility of having Boy Scouts help with packing computers, and perhaps an Eagle Scout help with the online forum.

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Rob and Diane Young with their daughter Amanda.

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Integrated Management in Wesport donated three laptops, 2 CPU’s, monitor, printer, server, speakers, keyboards, and mice. Shown here is Jeff Paul. Jeff’s collegue Regina Trimble lives in Darien and referred Jeff to this project. Two of these laptops were donated to university students in Kenya. Thanks Jeff and Regina! October 22, 2007.

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Bob Padolfo from Brooklyn emailed all his friends asking if they had computers to donate and to drop them off at his house. He broght out a car load of computers, monitors and a laptop. Thanks Bob!

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Karen and Mike Brennen, with their children (l-r) Lucy, Ellie and Teddy. They donated a computer and a very generous check. Many thanks! October 13, 2007.

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Nick Sylaz, building manager of 7 Dey St in NYC, and owner Steve Sakele donate use of their basement to store computer donations. Thanks Nick and Steve!

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Elliot Doll, son of Pastor Greg Doll of Noroton Presbyterian Church, donated one of his wiffle balls to the kids using the recreation park. It is nice to see kids wanting to help other kids. Pet Joe likes saying “cheese.”

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Ed Tyler picking up monitors from the Noroton Presbyterian Church and bringing them to Nearwater Lane for packing. Thanks Ed!

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