I have been visiting Thailand regularly for eight years now, of course because I met a beautiful woman there.
My work gives me access to a lot of second-hand computer equipment. Whenever I get the chance, I always take a few laptops and tablets to Thailand to give away to people who really need them for work or study. Not everyone has the financial means to buy that kind of stuff themselves.
By the way, I don’t limit this to Thailand; there are also enough people in the Netherlands who have trouble buying this kind of equipment. If I hear that someone needs something and I have something lying around, I like to give it away. I am grateful that I can do this and appreciate that there are companies that support me in this. They know that their “old” stuff gets a second life. When they give stuff to me, I make sure that all data is erased. Often I even have to merge two devices to create one working system. But hey, that keeps you off the streets, right?
Recently, a colleague of mine had eight or nine smartphones lying around in a drawer. He wondered if it would be something to take to Thailand. I knew right away that there would be plenty of people interested. So on my next trip to Thailand, in addition to five laptops and ten tablets, I will also take a fair number of smartphones.
During a visit to my sister-in-law's restaurant, I invite the director of the local school for dinner. I tell him what I brought and ask if he knows of any families at the school who could use these devices. It is mainly families with children who have the capacity to learn, but lack the means to purchase these devices.
We agree to have dinner at my sister-in-law’s again the following weekend. He will take care of the invitations for the “recipients” so that I only have to drop off my stuff. My wife also asks the director a few questions to make sure everything is going well.
The following Saturday we drive to the restaurant again. I see that they have reserved the parking space near the door for us. This time it is a lot busier in the restaurant, but “my table” has been reserved especially for us.
I see many expectant faces, and the director is already there. Of course, we first order something to eat and drink. Then I ask for help with carrying the stuff. There are enough volunteers! The distribution goes quickly, and everyone is busy trying out their new device. Of course, the family members who traveled with us also want to admire the devices.
Here and there I explain how to use the software I installed for them. For example, not everyone knows how a VPN works, while it can be useful to get different search results by pretending to be in another country.
After what I consider a successful evening, I want to pay my sister-in-law's bill. To my surprise, that is not allowed. The families who received the devices have contributed to pay for my meal. In addition, I have to drink one Chang beer for every phone that is handed out... My colleague was not there, so I had to complete this difficult task on my own.
As you can hear, I have a hard life! I asked if I could save some Chang beers next time, because it was getting a bit much for me in one evening.
Submitted by Miel
This is of course a very noble goal. Still, I wonder what customs thinks of you bringing in so much computer/telephone equipment. Can you just do that, or have you arranged something for that?
I used to take my 'discarded' but still working mobile phone for a 'country niece'. And quickly stashed it away when I saw that her own copy was already a few generations ahead of my new one...mine had been paid off... 🙂
Nice story, hats off to your actions.
However, it is a pity that a distinction is made between individuals.
“It mainly concerns families with children who have the capacity to learn, but lack the resources to purchase this equipment.”
Of course, supplies are limited, as you could take thousands of those devices with you.
With each device, any student could be motivated and suddenly blossom.
Cheers!