What E-Quip Africa Does

Education in West Africa is different than it is in the United States. Schools, whether chartered by cities, villages, churches or other organizations, use a curriculum set by the national government. They receive government support ONLY for teacher salaries.

Preparing for shipment
Recording equipment and supplies being loaded for shipment

Students, their families and sponsoring organizations supply everything else: books, supplies, equipment, even furniture! There are very few books. Few children can afford paper and pencils, so many students learn only by listening. Most of the learning tools –books, markers, paper, calculators – which we in the U. S. take for granted are unavailable to the majority of students because of simple economics.

Physical Therapy (PT) programs in hospitals and clinics in West Africa are limited in services to the public because of budgetary restraints. Once again, we can help with gently used equipment and dollars to bolster their programs

In America, however, we often find it more convenient to replace than to repair. We need (or think we need) the latest model of computer and new pens and notebooks at the beginning of every school year. Medical equipment used in PT programs that becomes obsolete here might still be usable in West Africa in places which presently have none. So what happens to the things we discard in favor of a newer model, a fresh supply or the latest version? Unfortunately, many times those still usable items end up in our landfills! We cannot and must not continue to do that!

An E-Quip Africa volunteer stops to smile, as he helps to load the shipping container headed to Ghana, with donated computers and educational materials.

There IS a better way, a more creative approach. Why not share those items with those who could – and would – put them to productive use?

Sharing things with people half a world away isn’t a simple thing, but with a little imagination, the enthusiasm of a great number of people, some very long days, and a lot of good old fashioned elbow grease, it can happen… it has and it will continue to happen!

What we do to make it happen in the U.S.

  • Recruit volunteers
  • Collect computers, school and physical therapy supplies
  • Raise funds
  • Evaluate and refurbish equipment and supplies
  • Pack and ship via ocean freight or to be carried by travelers

What we do to make it happen in Ghana

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We load, we ship
  • Evaluate school or PT unit readiness
  • Assist schools or PT programs in planning for:
    • Physical space
    • Business operations
    • Goals & methods
    • Sustainability of project
  • Ship and deliver computers and PT equipment and supplies
  • Provide support and follow-up advice to African organizations
  • Listen to the needs of NGOs, PT departments and schools
  • Work with the E.P.A. of Ghana for safe disposal of e-waste
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