Students benefits from NRECA computer donation

NRECA staff preparing the computers for shipment

In July of 2005, the IT division of NRECA donated 50 computers to the NRECA International Foundation to be used in its overseas projects. NRECA staff volunteered to pack and ready the equipment for shipment to the Philippines, the project that would best benefit from the donation at the time.

Under its sister cooperative program, the Foundation provides support and resources to U.S. co-ops that have partnered with overseas utilities. The purpose of the partnerships varies in scope, but generally includes introduction of new technologies, safety practices, and provides resources to help improve the community served by the utility. This particular shipment of computers was donated to the sister co-op partnership between Big Rivers Electric Corp. ( Henderson, KY) and DASURESCO ( Davao, Philippines).

Students in the Philippines using the NRECA donated computers

Over the last several years, Big Rivers Electric Corp. (and with the support of donations from other U.S. co-ops) has helped DASURESCO energize 21 villages in rural Mindanao and established many community development activities, such as establishing and electrifying a community computer center. The donated computers were installed in this center and are mainly being used for educational purposes.

This past April, Laurence Delina, a student in Mindanao who had access to the computer center, was the youngest graduate of his university’s master degree program. Laurence thanked NRECA for enabling the donation expressing that by being able to use the computers, he was able to complete his thesis and achieve his dream of a college degree. Says Laurence “Madamo guid nga salamat!” (many thanks!).