There’s something truly special about giving old tech a second life — especially when that life is spent transforming communities. Recently, TWAM were thrilled to receive a generous donation from Wiltshire Digital Drive: 20 laptops and 30 desktop computers with monitors — a vanload of opportunity, quite literally.

All smiles - Alison and Tim with the TWAM van

Our volunteers, Alison and Tim, made the journey to collect the refurbished computers and bring them safely back to our refurbishment centre in Rugby. There, every item will be carefully sorted and packed away for a completely new purpose. And that purpose? To empower communities across Africa - from young entrepreneurs in Zambia, such as Clement (pictured below), to students in rural schools - with access to IT equipment they would otherwise never be able to afford.

But why do these computers matter?

Imagine you're a young adult in Zambia with a dream of starting a business - maybe graphic design, a digital print shop, electronic repair, or web development. You have the skills, the drive, and the vision… but no access to a computer.

That’s where these donated machines come in.

Thanks to Wiltshire Digital Drive’s incredible contribution, some of these computers will soon be in the hands of local IT start-ups in Zambia, enabling young entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground. For many, it’s a life-changing moment — a chance to generate income, create jobs, and contribute to their local economy using tools that would have otherwise ended up in landfill.

Clement risks his life every day to make a difference through teaching IT literacy

Clement is one of these entrepreneurs. He bravely risks retribution from local gangs by using TWAM computers to train dozens of desperate young men in crucial skills (such as writing a cover letter or setting up an email address) at his hand-built Business Centre in Samfya, Zambia.

“When I walked around these streets and saw young people getting into bad things such as alcohol, it touched my heart to see how I could help them," Clement told us. "I went up to them and asked them why they were doing this? They said they have nothing, no work and no food. So I decided to try to help them.”

Other computers will go to schools and community skills centres, where they’ll become the backbone of classrooms and training programmes. For students and adult learners, this means access to digital literacy, office skills, and career development opportunities that simply wouldn’t be possible without working IT equipment.

We often take for granted how integral computers are to learning and livelihoods. But in the places where TWAM works, a single donated desktop can open doors to a world of information, education, and empowerment.

A win for people - and the planet!

But this story isn’t just about helping others — it’s also about helping our environment.

The UK generates hundreds of thousands of tonnes of e-waste every year. Much of it still works or could easily be repaired. Wiltshire Digital Drive CIC is helping tackle this growing problem head-on.

Instead of adding to the landfill crisis, these computers are refurbished and rehomed — creating a green solution to a global issue. It’s a brilliant example of a circular economy in action: reusing what we already have to create meaningful change, instead of throwing it away.

This donation is a powerful reminder of what can happen when organisations work together. We’re so proud to partner with Wiltshire Digital Drive and incredibly grateful to everyone involved — especially Natalie, Alison, and Tim — for making it happen.

If your organisation, school, business or community group has unused laptops, PCs or monitors sitting in a cupboard somewhere, why not consider donating them to TWAM? Together, we could build a future where nothing goes to waste - and where everyone has the tools they need to thrive.

“I grew up seeing how important it is to learn a skill. Even if I’m old, I can still learn how to use a computer.”