We strongly believe IT can be used for good causes. When it comes to supporting the many charities we work for, we often donate engineering time instead of money.
During the lockdown, Ethical IT has donated 26 hours of free charity IT support worth almost £2,500 to a number of different organisations.
The move is part of Ethical IT’s “1% for the planet” and “IT for good” ethos, in which we give back to our community by donating time to those who need it.
We caught up with the Executive Director of Children Change Colombia, Angela Carreno, to find out how Ethical IT’s support has made a difference to this particular charity.
“We were so grateful for this support, it was a lovely gesture. Charities are really suffering at the moment due to a fall in income, so to be able to access IT support for free for a few months was very much appreciated,” said Carreno.
Children Change Colombia has been operating since 1991, defending the rights of children in Colombia. Working with local partners, the charity protects children from violence, sexual exploitation and neglect, keeping them out of the hands of armed groups and helping them demand change.
Importantly, the charity also works with adults – parents, teachers and policymakers to help them keep children safe now and protect them in the long term.
IT support for charities
Ethical IT had already been providing IT support for Children Change Colombia for a number of years. However, over lockdown, with the added pressure of remote working, Ethical IT donated an 8-hour free IT support package worth £560.
Ethical IT’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Bursey added: “It’s so good to hear that our small donation of support time has had such a positive effect and allowed Children Change Colombia to continue their vital work during these critical times for so many.”
Ethical IT provides sustainable, transparent and pioneering IT solutions across the board for all organisations, but it has been working with charities in particular. These types of organisations often can’t afford to have their own in-house IT support, which is why outsourcing is critical to supporting the community.
Carreno said: “We like working with businesses that share our values and Ethical IT is one such business.”
The lockdown effect
Colombia has been under lockdown since March 23 with a proposed end date of August 31. Children Change Colombia and its local partners have been forced to stop all in-person activities with the children and young people at its projects until August when the government has considered reopening schools.
Nevertheless, the charity’s partners have found new ways to keep children learning and protected. This has included weekly visits where possible but mainly keeping in touch through regular phone calls, online sessions, WhatsApp groups, and social media to continue providing vital psychosocial support to the children and young people at the projects at a time where it’s needed more than ever.
As well as this, they are continuing their workshops online to teach children about their rights and how to protect themselves from the dangers within their community.
During these difficult times, the charity has also managed to give a helping hand to the most affected communities of the pandemic providing food, toiletries, hygiene kits and PPE equipment. If you would like to donate to Children Change Colombia, please click here: Children Change Colombia
Our mission
Ethical IT’s core mission is to support the longevity of the planet, our people, our communities and of course the business. The three pillars of sustainability (otherwise known as the triple bottom line) are at the root of every decision we now make:
- Environmental: Reducing our carbon footprint where possible, both for clients and within our own business.
- Economic: Charging fairly and developing long-term relationships with our clients.
- Social: Promoting a healthy work/life balance, including flexible working and embracing the “1% for the planet” ethos.
We believe our bold commitment to helping the environment is ground-breaking, but we want to share our experience and knowledge in the hope that others will follow.
