“When students don’t have access outside the classroom, they often fall behind at school. So, a second-hand computer helps with their homework, research and assignments.”
A volunteer restoring a used computer at the workshop. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
It’s a view backed up by research. A recent KPMG report found that 84 per cent of students with inadequate access to a computer (outside the classroom) struggled to finish class work and assignments.
Tamil community volunteer Viji Dhayanathan says for refugee and asylum seeker families, the gift of technology can be life-changing.
Viji Dhayanathan is a Tamil community volunteer. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“Most children are now using laptops to do their studies. But in many families, parents just can’t afford to buy three or four laptops if they have three or four kids.
He was born into a Tamil family in 1985 in Vanni district, during that country’s bitter civil war.
Sujan Selven at his Sydney office. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“We did not have access to electricity, let alone a computer. For much of my childhood, we were hiding in bunkers.
“So, when I learned about the [digital divide] I decided to focus on that, to help solve that problem.”
Saif Al-Yousuf and Sujan Selven (standing) restoring a computer. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
His venture now supports local families in Australia and is also making a difference in his homeland, Sri Lanka.
“And that’s in three provinces – north, east and south. So far, we have donated more than one thousand devices.”
“Learning was tough earlier as we had only two computers. Since the laptops were donated, learning has become much easier,” he says. “So, thank you for these devices.”
Electronic waste ready to be upcycled. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
But Selven is doing more than donating technology to Australians and Sri Lankans.
“That is far in excess of the global average, which is around seven kilos per person per year,” she says.
Restoring a discarded computer. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“In 2020-21, about 54 per cent of the e-waste that we generated was sent for recycling, and of that, about 35 per cent of materials were recovered. So the rest unfortunately went into landfill.
“We’re losing very valuable materials like precious metals. And we are also putting potentially toxic materials into landfill,” she says.
Donated computers ready for upcylcing. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
“So, we really need to collect those items, keep them in circulation wherever possible.”
“That way, computers and laptops will keep going for perhaps another five or six years without families spending too much money.
Saif Al-Yousuf volunteers restoring computers in Sydney. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“It makes me very happy, knowing a child who has no computer will get a device that helps with their education.”
“In future, we want to expand the number of devices that we receive, and the number of people that benefit from our service.”
Sujan Selven at his Sydney workshop. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
“My goal is to connect each school with a computer. And I think we are progressing on that in Sri Lanka,” he says.
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Tamil.
Tyler Mitchell