Seoul Gangseo-gu Promotes Used Computer Sharing Project Utilizing Private Networks

Donation of Used Computers, Refurbished and Delivered to Low-Income Students in the Community... Preventing Social Exclusion and Bridging the Digital Divide for Information-Vulnerable Students

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Unwanted used PCs are being transformed into valuable Hope PCs.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is promoting the ‘Used Computer Sharing Project Utilizing Private Networks.’

The district has decided to provide used computers to students from information-vulnerable groups in line with the non-face-to-face digital era accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to prevent social exclusion of low-income students and bridge the digital divide.

The support involves (Corporation) Global Vision, Carrot Market Co., Ltd., Seobu Cultural Center, and Seongju Computer Hagok Branch joining forces.

First, the local community service Carrot Market will promote the project and accept donation applications. A banner promoting used computer donations will be displayed to Gangseo-gu residents using Carrot Market.

Clicking the donation promotion banner will connect to a page where donors can fill in detailed information such as donor name, donated items, item pickup location, and pickup time to apply for donation.

When a donation is received through Carrot Market, the Seobu Cultural Center, a youth cultural activity organization, will visit the location specified by the donor to collect and store the used computers.

(Corporation) Global Vision will use part of the Warm Winter Fund allocated by the district to purchase old or insufficient parts and operating systems (OS) for the donated used computers.

Seongju Computer Hagok Branch will reassemble the donated used computers with newly purchased parts to create finished products that can be used at home.

The completed computers will be delivered to low-income students recommended by (Corporation) Global Vision and Seobu Cultural Center, and post-management will be provided free of charge for three months through Seongju Computer Hagok Branch.

Residents wishing to donate used computers can apply by accessing Carrot Market or contact the Welfare Policy Division of Gangseo-gu Office. However, donation receipts cannot be issued for used items, so only goodwill donations are accepted.

The district aims to deliver 30 computers by March and will decide whether to extend the project based on its performance.

District Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “I hope this project will help bridge the digital divide and improve students’ access to online learning at this important time of transition to non-face-to-face life,” adding, “We will continue to carry out various public-private cooperative sharing projects for vulnerable groups in need of protection.”

Welfare Policy Division, Gangseo-gu Office