A Second Life For KLM Computers

Ten years ago, KLM was the biggest company to participate in the Close the Gap initiative. Since then, we’ve shipped tens of thousands of redundant, yet fully functional KLM computers from the Netherlands to Africa. I had the privilege this summer of tagging along to South Africa to see where they go. An exceptional journey, certainly because I decided to take along my son and daughter.

Close the Gap

A Flemish person took the initiative a decade ago to approach major companies with this amazing idea. He had a plan to use old, yet still functioning IT equipment written off by big companies for projects in developing countries. In this manner, he enabled local initiative-takers who needed the material to contribute towards the development of their countries and fellow citizens.

Close the Gap

Cape Town

I spent two days in Cape Town and visited several projects together with my daughter and son aged 12 and 14 respectively. I think the impact of a journey like this on one’s children will only be felt later. Much like the projects in Cape Town, it’s an investment in the future. What fascinated be most is how easily the local children and the visitors from Europe interacted. The differences are as vast as they are small.

Close the Gap

Desmond Tutu

My visit with Desmond Tutu, patron of Close the Gap, left a lasting impression on me. My daughter asked him what the most special moment in his life was. And despite his exceptional past, he answered: “the birth of my children.” The kind of answer I could have given as well.

[tweet text=”And despite his exceptional past, Desmond Tutu answered: “the birth of my children.””]

Close the Gap

What I also realised after the visit is that we make such a fuss about futilities in the West: the new iPhone, the latest trendy sneakers. In Cape Town, the kids are over the rainbow sitting behind an old computer or discovering something like Excel. And all we can complain about is not having the latest gadget. And there’s the big question: “Can I get an education? And, if so, what else can I learn?” I wanted to show my children this gap.

[tweet text=”What I realised is that we can make such a fuss about futilities: the new iPhone, the latest trendy sneakers.”]

Close the Gap

I firmly believe that everyone has something to contribute towards a better world and a brighter future. And if we do so, we need to focus firmly on the most important things; the things that really make a difference. And these thoughts stay with me back at the office after such a trip.

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