What we do
What we do
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ZanmiLwen is an intermediate charity that collects donated computer systems and other supplies, reconditions and transfers them to academic and community-building organizations working to empower, stabilize and grow vulnerable populations in Haiti.
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How we do it
How we do it
ZL is supported by a deep network of collaborating organizations and individuals in Haiti who help identify and vet educational and community-facing organization ready to receive and use computer equipment. These organization may include schools, hospitals, community centers and other NGOs working to support the country's under-served populations. Target recipient organizations are thoroughly vetted for legitimacy and capacity to operate and make maximum use of the donated equipment.
State-side, ZL has a network of academic, corporate and individual partners who help identify and source computer and other equipment available and suitable to be repurposed. We then collect, upgrade and recondition the hardware and software as appropriate to support the target customer in Haiti.
Finally, we crate, ship and transfer control of the equipment to the target organization.
What does it cost?
What does it cost?
On average, it costs us approximately $240 per computer to acquire, recondition and transfer a batch of PCs from our headquarters in Atlanta to an organization in need in Haiti. Batch sizes are typically 10 to 20 units. The process takes approximately 6 months and has the following estimated cost structure:
Asset transfer from donor to ZL, including storage costs: $10
Reconditioning, upgrades and minor repairs1: $70
Supplies2: $20
Packaging3: $30
Cargo4: $105
1Hardware upgrades and minor repairs can include replacing aging hard drives with SSDs, RAM upgrade, replacing damaged keyboards and mice, adding wifi cards, etc.
2Supplies include flash drives, toner, USB wifi adapters and other peripherals needed for a given use case.
3Equipment shipped to Haiti must endure trucking in the US, an extended time on a cargo ship and a potentially rough ride on unpaved roads in Haiti. To ensure that shipments survive the journey undamaged, we ship all equipment in reinforced, double-walled boxes or crates fixed to a wooden pallet. Internally, a significant amount of additional packaging is required to protect the contents of the shipment. The cargo is also shrink-wrapped to help it resist short exposures to inclement weather.
4Trucking/Cargo service to Haiti can run between $500 and $1000, depending on weight, size, destination, etc. This cost scales down when multiple systems are transferred at at time.
What are the risks?
What are the risks?
Haiti is a politically fluid nation with local gangs in control of large areas of the major cities and the provinces. Seizure of cargo and truck shipments are not uncommon. ZL partners with organizations that provide reasonable, tested corridors for safely transporting equipment across the country. Still, there are no guarantees and loss of shipment is an ongoing threat. Further, few, if any shipping services offer cargo insurance, meaning that a loss of livery would be a total loss of time and effort. To date, through careful planning, ZL has manage a 100% cargo delivery success rate. While it isn't possible to guaranteed this rate of success, we at ZL maintain that the net benefits of supplying this equipment to society-building organizations far outweigh any risks.
How can I help?
How can I help?
There are multiple avenues for individuals, corporations and other non-profits to collaborate with ZL.
Individuals can help connect ZL with organizations who regularly upgrade computer systems. Colleges and universities, in particular, regularly upgrade equipment in their computer labs. Identifying these opportunities and connecting them with ZL helps us procure the best available equipment for field placement.
Volunteers can also assist in the reconditioning and packaging of the equipment.
Corporations can donate equipment directly to ZL. You can find a list of the equipment we need here.
Corporate partners in the transportation and/or shipment industry can help greatly reduce shipment costs with in-kind services.
Other non-profits working in Haiti and outside of Haiti can help identify and vet target recipients.
Finally, individuals, foundations and corporations can support ZL with a financial gift in any amount to help defray of operational costs.
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