Computers for the Kitikmeot
Larga boarders bring home refurbished laptops
Beth Brown
Northern News Services
Monday, December 19, 2016
GJOA HAVEN/SOMBA K'E
The Kitikmeot is getting high-tech, thanks to the recent donation of 40 refurbished computers.
"I'm already using it to shop online," laughed Shawna Arqviq of Gjoa Haven.
She is working on learning how to update her donated Dell laptop, which she says she will use for music and storing pictures.
"I'm not much of a computer person," Arqviq said. "I've had a laptop before and used it for Skype and updating my resume."
The computers were given to residents of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven staying at Larga Kitikmeot Boarding Home in Yellowknife, said organizer Sudhir Jha, a volunteer with the Computers for Schools program in the NWT.
He wanted to take the project beyond the classroom and into the homes of Northerners in small and rural places.
"I lived in Cambridge Bay, I know the challenges," he said.
The challenges range from poor bandwidth to lack of repair services.
"You cannot buy a computer over there, you have to order it online," he said. "And if something goes wrong, who is going to fix the computer?"
Larga has been distributing the computers since August of last year.
"He's been bringing computers here and they have been going to the people that live in the communities," said Judy Anavilok of Larga Kitikmeot.
"The total amount that we have given away to patients and escorts was 256 computers."
She said the recipients are always happy and grateful.
Jha said that the machines often come as surplus, when organizations upgrade their computers and get rid of the old ones.
"It makes me really happy when people get the computers. Lots of people cannot afford it," he said.
The free computers have new operating systems and software and have all been cleaned for viruses.
"We have to be careful, if there is data in there, then we will wipe it out," said Jha.
He also helps people get comfortable on their machines before they take them back home, even if this just means turning it on and helping with program set-up.
"It makes me happy, that is the reason I am doing it. Now they can communicate with their family and friends."
