Peace Corps Paraguay volunteers Joel Correia and Karen Schlatter will bike from the tip of South America back to Paraguay in order to raise awareness and funds to improve the educational opportunities for Paraguayan youths.

Joel and Karen teamed with InterConnection and the Paraguayan non-profit, Center for Education, Training, and Technology for Farm Families (CECTC) to bring support for the youth. CECTEC's primary goal is to serve impoverished Paraguayan farming communities.

With the donations raised from the bike trip, CECTEC will build schools and sanitary bathrooms, improve existing schools' infrastructure, provide needed didactic materials and furnish classrooms.  InterConnection will donate computers to the schools involved in the project.

To learn more, see www.bikingtobuildschools.com

You can make a 100% tax-deductible donation to this project through the Network for Good website. This is a verified, secure website.

Just click on the link below to access the donation page!

- Enter "Biking to Build Schools" as the project to which you want to contribute in the “Designation (Optional)” entry.

I recently had the opportunity to visit some of our computer recipients in Chile, Guatemala and Belize. It is inspiring to see how the computers refurbished by volunteers in Seattle are being used by youth and non profits abroad. 

I first went to Santiago, Chile and visited Fundacion Todo Chilenter, a non-profit that provides computers to schools. They received 4,000 computers from InterConnection.

In Guatemala I met with Grupo Ceiba, they are a non profit that operates a skill center for disadvantaged youth. They are working with InterConnection to expand their computer hardware skills program.

In Belize, I visited a Rotarian who received 400 computers from InterConnection for four schools in his town, San Ignacio. I then went to Independence Town and visited a high school that received 200 computers. They have three computer labs using IC computers. I then traveled to Punta Gorda in southern Belize a former Peace Corps volunteer who received 200 computers for a technology training college. He now operates an Internet cafe and continues to provide technology access to the community. Charles Brennick, Director

Tisha Quiñones began volunteering at InterConnection in May 2008. Since then, she has worked 615 hours, which is the sixth highest in InterConnection’s history.  She began in the recycling area and quickly moved to managing the Quality Control (QC) section.  At QC she developed her refurbishing skills, learned Excel (a new skill for her), and gained hardware expertise.

“I loved how InterConnection was there for me like one big family. When I got my GED they were so proud of me.  That day was so good.” Tisha plans to find a job in a similar field while going back to school to continue developing her computer skills.

Changing Mentalities and Empowering Groups (CHAMEG), Cameroon
chameg.interconnection.org 
CHAMEG’s goal is to improve on the living conditions of underprivileged persons in Cameroon through sustainable livelihood efforts.
Designed by Eímear O’Neill

Multipurpose Association for Rural Improvement Activities (MARIA), India
maria.interconnection.org 
A non-profit operating in various cities in India in the areas of health, and education.