While Spring Break is usually a very quiet time on the Southwestern campus, some members of Information Services, led by David Williamson, were busy corralling and packing used computers for shipment to local students in La Esperanza, Honduras. This year, six pallets were filled with used computers and accessories.
 
“We started in 2002 with Pat Ramsey and myself visiting La Esperanza in Honduras. Working with SpecialMissions.org founders, Sandra and Jerry Thompson, and Save the Children Honduras,we have shipped and installed well over a thousand computers during the last 14 years.The computers go to schools in the region and have positively impacted scores of parents and children,” Williamson recalls.
David Williamson prepares a cart of computers to be donated. David Williamson prepares a cart of computers to be donated.
“For example, a survey was commissioned in 2008 to see how many people were impacted by our latest shipment of 100 PCs. The survey found that over 4000 students, parents, teens, and other adults were using the 100 computers in the classrooms (either during the school day or at night and on weekends for adult training),” he said.
For several years, SU students travelled to Honduras to help install the computers. Terry Truett, Regional Manager for Sodexo and friend of SU, also contributed his fluent Spanish and expertise in leading student groups and teacher training in the La Esperanza area, as did the hard work and inspiration of SU professors Dr. Daniel Castro and Dr. David Gaines, along with hundreds of SU student volunteers from Paideia and the ACM/CS Club.  The program has now spread to the city of Tela in Honduras, as well as to schools in Costa Rica.
Six pallets of computers await pickup for delivery to Honduras. Instead of going to the local recycling facility, these computers will have a new life as tools for students and adults in La Esperanza. Six pallets of computers await pickup for delivery to Honduras. Instead of going to the local recycling facility, these computers will have a new life as tools for students and adults in La Esperanza.