Voisin and Volaw Trust (Jersey) have recently teamed up with the White Knight Foundation to boost the computer skills of Jersey's schoolchildren at a fraction of the cost of a more orthodox approach.
When Voisin and trust company Volaw invested in new computers for their staff, the firms gave Springfield Primary School 20 of their old machines after the data had been wiped. White Knight then replaced the memories and hard drives and installed the Linux Education operating system. Further help was given on the design of a dedicated computer room, which has recently been completed.
Sam Cooper, Springfield headmaster, commented: ‘the contribution of computers by
Voisin and Volaw and the work done by White Knight is hugely appreciated. Recycling old machines has had a magical effect. The computers are being used in the teaching of a variety of subjects and the children cannot wait for lessons to begin.’
Georgina Jeffries, Head of Marketing, Voisin and Volaw added: ‘Until meeting White Knight Foundation I did not realise that redundant machines, which would have been discarded, could be reused in such a beneficial way and be so welcome in Jersey schools. It’s been excellent to be involved in such a forward thinking project that is a true investment in the Island’s future. I would encourage other businesses to donate what they can, as every machine makes a difference.’
The White Knight Foundation has been recycling sets of old computers from local companies and installing the revitalised machines into Springfield Primary School.
Charity trustee, Bill White, says: ‘we wanted to encourage computer learning from an early age so as to open up job opportunities in the future. It seems to me that computer work is ideal for a small Island as it can be performed anywhere and requires very little space.’
White Knight urges any company or government department, which is considering new computers, to get in touch so that other schools can benefit from the old ones. Bill White can be reached on 07700 704677.
