Tech and Data for People in Need
Donation protected
If you have a spare tablet or similar IN GOOD WORKING ORDER that you could donate, please contact me!
If you require assistance with access to tech or the internet, or know someone who does, please let me know.
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The COVID19 situation has forced a lot of people to the edge. However, if they were already living in poverty, the situation is far more dire.
I initially started this fundraiser thinking of kids and their educational needs. But it’s not just kids who need this – it’s everyone. Can you imagine going through social distancing without a reliable phone, tablet or computer? If you had trouble accessing the internet and the communities that you’ve built there? What about dealing with Centrelink and other essential services?
For children, going without tech or internet could mean they fall behind, both academically and socially. Not only will they need them for schooling, but to communicate with family, find their communities and maintain their social and support systems, and to access services if needed.
I want to ensure that anyone who needs it can have tech and connect to the internet. The internet is an essential part of modern society, like it or no. I want to raise funds to get these vital devices and services to families who don't currently have access. Our internet communities are essential while social distancing.
I'm keeping an eye on government initiatives, researching private charitable programs who offer similar services to see if I can contribute funds raised in that way, and have also contacted tech companies to see if they'd be interested in donating. I'm working on finding paths to programs that work directly with people who might need help.
This was inspired by a friend of a friend who asked for my advice on how to start a fundraiser so they could get a tablet for their kid. They wanted it to be easier to stay in contact due to custody issues and COVID19 travel restrictions. I don't have a ton of social media followers, but I have a decent amount and know a lot of people who have way more. I knew that someone I know, or someone they knew would have a used tablet in good working order.
Within a few hours, I had sourced a tablet for each of them that they will receive next week, plus some phone data - a lot of low-income families use their phone data instead of a connection to the home.
I wanted to help everyone during this rough time, but I realised the best thing I could do was focus on one thing. The internet is important to me, so I thought that this might be the right path for me.
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I will update with anonymised details of how this money is being used to go directly to families in need in the spirit of full transparency and will continue to do so as more information comes out. As we know, things are changing from day to day, and it's important to be flexible and rethink methods as further updates are given.
So far, the funds raised are earmarked for postage and data packages for those without reliable internet connections. Please check back for updates on how your monetary donation is helping.
If you require assistance with access to tech or the internet, or know someone who does, please let me know.
-
The COVID19 situation has forced a lot of people to the edge. However, if they were already living in poverty, the situation is far more dire.
I initially started this fundraiser thinking of kids and their educational needs. But it’s not just kids who need this – it’s everyone. Can you imagine going through social distancing without a reliable phone, tablet or computer? If you had trouble accessing the internet and the communities that you’ve built there? What about dealing with Centrelink and other essential services?
For children, going without tech or internet could mean they fall behind, both academically and socially. Not only will they need them for schooling, but to communicate with family, find their communities and maintain their social and support systems, and to access services if needed.
I want to ensure that anyone who needs it can have tech and connect to the internet. The internet is an essential part of modern society, like it or no. I want to raise funds to get these vital devices and services to families who don't currently have access. Our internet communities are essential while social distancing.
I'm keeping an eye on government initiatives, researching private charitable programs who offer similar services to see if I can contribute funds raised in that way, and have also contacted tech companies to see if they'd be interested in donating. I'm working on finding paths to programs that work directly with people who might need help.
This was inspired by a friend of a friend who asked for my advice on how to start a fundraiser so they could get a tablet for their kid. They wanted it to be easier to stay in contact due to custody issues and COVID19 travel restrictions. I don't have a ton of social media followers, but I have a decent amount and know a lot of people who have way more. I knew that someone I know, or someone they knew would have a used tablet in good working order.
Within a few hours, I had sourced a tablet for each of them that they will receive next week, plus some phone data - a lot of low-income families use their phone data instead of a connection to the home.
I wanted to help everyone during this rough time, but I realised the best thing I could do was focus on one thing. The internet is important to me, so I thought that this might be the right path for me.
-
I will update with anonymised details of how this money is being used to go directly to families in need in the spirit of full transparency and will continue to do so as more information comes out. As we know, things are changing from day to day, and it's important to be flexible and rethink methods as further updates are given.
So far, the funds raised are earmarked for postage and data packages for those without reliable internet connections. Please check back for updates on how your monetary donation is helping.
Organizer
Marlee Jane Ward
Organizer
Moonee Vale, VIC