This is an initiative powered by CG Computers with a heartfelt mission to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the blind and visually impaired (BVI) community starting from February until April 2024. At CG Computers, our commitment to social responsibility extends beyond delivering cutting-edge technology. We believe in harnessing the power of collective generosity to bridge gaps and create opportunities for those in need.
We are collaborating with St Nicholas' Home in Penang, the oldest institution dedicated to the BVI community in Malaysia. The heart of our campaign lies in encouraging everyone to contribute their unused smart devices, providing a valuable resource for BVI individuals who cannot afford new devices. We feel that this initiative will help to open doors to education, skills development, and improved daily living for the members, students and instructors of St. Nicholas’ Home.
This initiative also serves as a proactive measure to address the issue of electronic hoarding, a pervasive problem highlighted by surveys conducted by the organisation Material Focus. The data revealed a staggering accumulation of over 20 million functional but unused electrical items in households throughout the United Kingdom, with an estimated collective value of up to £5.63 billion. This substantial reservoir of electronic devices underscores a significant potential for repurposing and recycling, emphasising the critical need for initiatives like this to mitigate electronic waste and promote a more sustainable approach to resource utilisation. (Source: BBC News, 2022)
We urge you to join us in this noble cause by contributing your functional 4G/LTE smartphones and tablets—both Apple and Android devices are welcome. Additionally, we extend a warm invitation for the donation of new devices to further amplify the impact of this initiative.
Together, let's turn unused gadgets into tools of empowerment, fostering a positive change and creating a brighter future for the blind and visually impaired community.
How Can I Participate?
1. Look for your unused smart phones and tablets. Make sure they are:
• Apple or Android devices.
• Must be iOs 15 or Android OS 10 and later compatible.
• Wifi/cellular enabled.
• 4G/LTE enabled. 3G devices will not be accepted.
• No major hardware and software damages.
• Find My Device deactivated and logged out of Apple ID.
2. Charging cables are optional.
3. Drop off at any Urban Republic or UR by Switch stores in Penang between 1 February and 28 April 2024.
4. Our crew will ask for your name and email address for our record.
5. Donated devices will be assessed to ensure that they are in working order, without any damages, and reset to factory settings with Find My apps deactivated.
6. Devices that do not meet the requirements will be responsibly recycled though our existing eWaste programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Yours Sincerely: Restart Series?
This campaign is a device crowdsourcing campaign for the blind and vision impaired in Penang to aid them in their daily lives. This is part of CG Computers Sdn Bhd’s Corporate Social Responsibility effort for 2024.
2. Why was this campaign introduced?
This campaign aims to give the disabled community an opportunity to own a smart device that could help them in their daily tasks. It will not only benefit individuals but also St. Nicholas’ Home as a centre that runs IT courses for the blind and vision impaired.
3. How is the crowdsourcing done?
CG Computers encourages its employees, customers and the general public to donate functional devices that they no longer use. We will reach out to everyone through online portals and at our Urban Replublic and UR by Switch outlets in Penang.
4. When will this campaign begin?
The campaign will begin on 1 February 2024 with the collection of devices at all Urban Republic and UR by Switch stores in Penang.
5. Will the campaign extend to other regions?
The focus will be Penang for 2024. We may expand to other region later on. Stay tuned to our social media for announcements.
6. How long will this campaign go on?
The collection and assessment period will go on until 28 April. Successful devices will then be packed to be handed over to St. Nicholas’ Home in May.
7. What are the terms and conditions that apply to donors?
All donors are required to agree to these Terms and Conditions of the campaign.
8. What devices can be donated?
The devices to be donated should be in working condition with no major damage (eg. damaged screen or motherboard). We will collect used smart devices (smartphones, tablets) that are 4G/LTE enabled. We encourage donors to donate the chargers (if available) alongside the device. Devices that are NOT accepted include desktops, laptops, feature phones (non-smart phones), 3G smart-phones and other electronic Devices or accessories (eg. mp3 players, game consoles, mouse, keyboard, etc.)
9. Why do you not collect 3g phones?
It was announced that Malaysia was shutting down 3G networks by the end of 2021 in order to improve 4G/LTE networks, which will serve as the foundation for 5G deployment. Therefore, we will only collect 4G/LTE and VoLTE enabled phones.
10. What happens to the device after I donate?
Upon drop-off, all devices meeting the requirement will undergo an assessment of damage and usability, and data wipe or factory reset for data privacy purposes before being handed over to St. Nicholas’ Home for distribution.
11. What if the device does not meet the requirements?
Devices that do not meet the requirements of the campaign will be routed to an e-waste programme to ensure responsible disposal.