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Computer Recycling
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Owning a home computer can open up a world of opportunities for students, but many families can’t afford them. That’s why one Texas church decided to create a computer recycling program, and in the process, discovered some hidden benefits for members. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
Usually these government-surplus computers end up in a scrap yard.
Del Shirley / Church Member: “It’s cranking on, now.”
But in the right hands, they can still have a purpose, helping children with homework, and more.
The Rev. Karen Morris /Pastor, Cedar Street United Methodist Church: “We have always been a group of people who didn’t like to see anything go to waste.”
The Mustard Seed Ministries at Cedar Street United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas recycles junked computers. They’re repaired and given to students whose families might not be able to afford new PCs.
Alvin Jones / Church Member: “They call me the demolition man because I take them apart.”
It only takes Alvin Jones a few minutes to disassemble a computer for parts, while other retirees put together the hard drives and video cards.
Tommy Gober / Church Member: “Let’s face it. If you’re not computer literate in this day and age, you’re not going very far.”
This began as a project to give a computer to every fifth grader at a nearby school. Now, computers are being offered to high-school students like Higinio Fernandez, who dreams of being a lawyer and a judge.
Higinio Fernandez / Received Free Computer: “Now I don’t have to go that much to the library – which I still do, but not just to use the computer. I can use mine at home.”
The church has given away around 500 computers in two years.
The Rev. Karen Morris: “It really has opened the door for us to be able to reach out to the parents as well as the children in this community.”
Children aren’t the only ones who benefit. Like the computer parts they recycle, this effort gives the volunteers a new direction.
Del Shirley / Church Member: “Believe it or not, but we really, really miss the workaday world. And it gives us something to do where we feel necessary.”
And these computer recyclers are hoping Mustard Seed Ministries will plant seeds of hope for generations to come.
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It costs about 60 dollars for parts to repair each computer. Raising the money has been the church’s biggest challenge. The church holds bake sales, bazaars and other fundraisers to support the program. Some of the faster machines are also sold for 100 dollars each, which goes toward more computers to give away.
To reach the church, call (903) 592-4704 or send an e-mail to revkaren45@aol.com.