It is not uncommon for us to fall short of flat screen monitors when it comes to preparing shipments. For some reason we rarely have enough flat screens to match up with the amount of computers we have. 

This is the situation we were facing a few weeks back. With a big shipment due at the end of the month, the whole team were worried that we would not be able to send the shipment out on time. 

Just as we were running out of options, we received a phone call. A young man from Ecclesiastical Insurance told us how the company were having computer upgrades and that, potentially, they could have hundreds of flat screen monitors to donate. 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and there we were, in Gloucester, collecting over 100 computers from Ecclesiastical. On Friday 20th we took a second trip to collect another generous donation of flat screen monitors. 

Thanks to Ecclesiastical our shipment to Zambia will go ahead at the end
of the month. We would like to say thank you, not only to Ecclesiastical for choosing to donate their equipment to ITSA, but also to the team who helped load over 100 flat screens on to our ITSA van. Tim, Ed, Nick, Jack and Darren were more than helpful and we would like to say a big thank you to them for giving up their time to lend a hand! 

We hope this is the beginning of a new, long lasting, donor partnership!

Back in October, ITSA's Overseas Operations Manager, Lucy, spent the month in Africa visiting our three programmes in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Find out how the schools are benefiting from computers donated in the UK...

What was it like visiting some of the schools that have benefited from IT Schools Africa?
As always it is so rewarding to see the computers that have been donated by schools, businesses and the public in the UK given a new lease of life - making such a difference to those that most need it. The great thing is, we are able to provide computers, not just for learning about IT but. to show schools, students and parents, the benefits of ICT. We give them what we take for granted every day, quick and easy communication, programmes that help with school homework, ability to write essays quicker, a tool to store contact details, the most powerful research tool at our finger tips, the list is endless. 

How important is an education in IT to the next generation in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi?
In urban areas it is very important to young people and increasingly so to businesses and the government of these countries. Ultimately we have to remember that the world is a smaller place, globalisation has brought us much closer, so what we have here in the UK, is seen by people thousands of miles away, they want what we have: to be able to communicate with their friends, type their coursework for University, set up their own small business or to manage their own finances.

Did anything surprise you when you visited the schools in Africa?
How integral school is to the students' lives; many schools that support areas densely populated are structured so they are open in two shifts to accommodate all of the students. It shows how important the school day is and how, as an institution, it is instrumental in helping to provide access to ICT. By providing computers and ICT training to teachers we are ensuring children receive an education in IT and benefit from the digital tools that will help them go on to further education and ultimately to get better jobs.

Has the IT equipment improved students' grades?
In ICT the student's grades have definitely improved. For example in one secondary school in Malawi the impact of one of our new computer labs has meant that the number of students taking ICT has increased from 160 (2013) to 960 (2014). The exam pass rate improved from 56% to 74%.

How much of an impact has the work carried out by ITSA in the UK, had on students in Africa?
It really does have an effect; what we do in the UK ensures the quality and specifications of the equipment complies with the local standards in Africa and importantly, meets the needs of the students and schools. 

Besides IT lessons, what other ways are the schools using the computers?
Some teachers of other subjects use the computers to show educational videos or other interactive materials. They find this helps to make their lessons more interesting and can make topics easier to understand. It also helps to keep the students motivated, particularly when temperatures can reach 40 degrees! 

With only 45 days till the big day, many of us have already made a start on our Christmas shopping. 

According to statistics, last year almost a quarter of festive shopping was done online, with those figures expected to climb in 2015. This year, with the help of Give as You Live, you can make your Christmas even more magical and help to transform the lives and futures of children in Africa. 

By signing up to Give as you Live and buying gifts at thousands of your favourite retailers, you'll be donating money to charity without spending a penny. 

How do I donate to charity without it costing me anything?
That’s how Give as you Live works, you shop online and the retailers donate the money to charity – it truly is a simple as that. 

We have put together this easy to follow video clip that shows you how you can become a supporter of IT Schools Africa and start raising money this Christmas.