BY: Lynda Haig Thoresen | Marketing, Communication & Sustainability Manager

Bridging the digital divide

Bridging the digital divide. Data Respons Solutions’ Taiwan office has partnered with the ASUS Foundations programme, PC Recycling for a Brighter Future, and have so far donated 24 laptops, 21 iPhone’s and 12 monitors.

ASUS is a Taiwan-based, multinational company that design and manufacture computer hardware and electronic devices for the consumer market.

The ASUS Foundations programme, PC Recycling for a Brighter Future, was founded in 2008 and collects and refurbishes old notebooks, PCs and LCD monitors and donates them to disadvantaged groups and NPOs (non-profit organisations) who lack digital equipment. The programme gives the new life to equipment that would otherwise be scrapped and benefits needy communities as well as the environment.

— When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Taiwan, and all the children were sent to home-schooling, the problem became apparent. Many underprivileged schoolchildren and students could not afford to purchase laptops or computers to keep up with schoolwork, especially kids from the east / rural area of Taiwan, says Cathy Chen, Operation Director at Data Respons Solutions Taiwan branch.

Bridging the digital divide

The refurbished computers become the first step to promote digital learning and bridging the digital divide. Bringing new life to old computer equipment, that would have otherwise been scrapped, is environmentally friendly and sustainable and our relationship with the ASUS Foundations is something we will continue going forward, Cathy Chen concludes.

Read about our other donations through #moveforcharity