Tech Exchange sales help students and families pay for computers

OAKLAND, Calif. – People lined up outside the Tech Exchange in East Oakland on Friday, hoping to buy a 50 percent off computer as part of the nonprofit school’s sale at its technology center on International Boulevard.

Moms, dads, seniors, and students all waited their turn to go in and browse the rows of affordable, refurbished Apple, Dell, HP computers. , and other great ones.

“These computers come from donations, communities, organizations,” Maybellyne Alferez, Tech Exchange East Bay coordinator said. “We work on them to make sure they are clean, cleared and in good condition.”

Bay Area companies donate their old computers, monitors, keyboards and other unwanted items. Now, instead of going to e-waste, the devices get a new life with members of the public who need computers but can’t afford a new computer.

“It was hard for me to buy a new laptop because it’s so expensive. And I live in a family of six so they can’t buy, like, new laptops for everyone and one,” Nimrod Bariagabr, a student at UC Berkeley said. .

He and his relatives scoured the tables and found some bargains, buying laptops for just $150 each.

“It will help me a lot for my schoolwork and everything else, at a low price,” said Zeman Bariagabr, who attends UC Santa Cruz.

“I’m here for my daughter,” said Portia Ward, an Oakland mother who says she’s excited about the Tech Exchange programs. “It really helps, because my income is stable. I take care of my mother. She is old and disabled, so it just helps our family plan.”

“Not everyone can afford it in this day and age,” said Denise Ross, who was helping a friend buy a computer.

Adults and seniors can also get help. Tech Exchange offers computer labs for people to learn skills and then gives people a free or discounted computer after completing a class.

“After their class, they can access their email, check their email, maybe fill out information for the government,” said Henry Martinez, a member of the Tech Exchange staff.

Ian Cumming is a computer programmer who has been a Tech Exchange volunteer for 24 years.

“It was such a good idea, I said, ‘OK, I’m in. I’ve been in for a long time,'” Cumming said.

Cumming hopes more people will step in to donate and help.

“If there’s 50-60 machines, we’ll drive a truck to that location, pick them all up, then bring them to our warehouse and refurbish them,” Cumming said.

They hope to close the digital divide, one computer and one person at a time.

Shirley Peterson, an Oakland resident on a fixed income, is grateful to receive a new laptop on Friday to help her stay connected.

“I feel good,” Peterson said, laughing as he held his new computer.

Tech Exchange plans to have another computer sale coming up in December before Christmas. They hope people will check out their website for information about technology services and how you can donate.

Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. E-mail Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com. Call him at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her More information on his bio page.