Community project collects and fixes used computers

Ertiqaa, a community project that was established by a charity organization 15 months ago in the Eastern Province, collects used computers dumped as garbage and repairs them for the less fortunate to use.
The project aims to save precious digital resources by bringing back used computers to life while preserving the environment, since computers dumped as garbage pose a considerable environmental hazard.
Saudi is the largest market for computers in the region, with over two million computers sold every year. Yet most computers either perish or are stored within less than four years of purchase, putting many such resources to waste.
Saber Saud, the secretary-general of the initiative, said the center for rehabilitating computers can repair 450 computers a month.
He said that Saudi workers would gradually replace the current staff after undergoing hands-on training.
“Discussions are ongoing with the Technical College in Dammam to send trainees to the center for professional training,” he said.
Ertiqaa’s goal, he said, was to repair 5,000 computers a year and make them functional.
Saud said they expected at least 32,000 computers to be repaired for distribution among beneficiaries.
Ertiqaa is an initiative that comes under the Al-Fawzan Group for Community Service, a charitable organization that aims to provide sustainable and professional service to the community, combined with the goal of preserving the environment and maintaining digital resources in the Kingdom.