...or at least a Pentium 4—thanks to Free Geek, a co-op that puts computers in the hands of the poor in exchange for volunteer work.
Teach a man to compute and he’ll be employable for a lifetime—even if he needs to scrub a few toilets first.
That’s the idea behind of Free Geek Toronto, a Junction-based co-op aimed at putting computers in the hands of the poor, in exchange for volunteer work. (Or, as they put it, helping “the needy get nerdy.”) Every Saturday at noon, Free Geek holds an orientation session welcoming new volunteers; last Saturday’s saw six people turn up, from college students to new immigrants. Some sought training; others simply sought complimentary PCs.
“Having access to a computer nowadays is really vital to being part of both society and the economy,” said Ushnish Sengupta, an IT programmer by day, and the co-op’s president, as he welcomed volunteers into Free Geek’s cramped industrial warehouse at 51 Vine (Unit B). The building is squeezed against the CPR line that cuts through neighbourhood. (The location was chosen for cheap rent.)
After 24 hours of service to Free Geek, which includes everything from answering phones to cleaning washrooms, volunteers are rewarded with a refurbished Pentium 4. After 60 hours, they can learn to build computers in workshops taught by other members. Volunteers also run an e-waste recycling program, and fix up old machines for sale at an on-site store.
Inspired by the original Free Geek, founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2000, Toronto’s outfit already has over 600 volunteers. “This is a way for me to get away from the monitor and actually see people,” said Eugene Ruthven, an independent internet professional.
But not all newcomers were sold on the idea. “I’m not interested in cleaning washrooms,” said one. “If I was willing to do that, I would at least get paid for it.”
