An excellent tool for bringing the Gospel… We do know that there are finances available for technology (computer) training and we need to seriously look at getting this project in some way subsidized. There is just such a huge demand and so many poor and uneducated people in Africa. Unemployment is rife and we feel it is the responsibility of the church to take up this challenge. This is an excellent tool for bringing the gospel into the poor communities.

A “Computer Tech Room” has been set up for refurbishing of second hand and donated computers to get ready for placing into the “Computers for Schools Project” or for the “Computer Donations Project”. A permanent Technician is needed urgently which we are praying for.

The “Computers for Schools Project” runs alongside the H.OP.E-Link Education Project and supports this project in every way. The project works on “Warranty and Maintenance” contracts being signed and stamped by the Schools. This is a 2-year contract, which serves to assist the schools if their computers happen to break down. We go in and fix or replace the computer/s that are faulty. Not only do we put the initial computers into the schools, but we also work towards upgrading their computers from 486’s and Pentium I’s (entry level) to Pentium II’s within a two-year period.

One of the main objectives is to get the whole community involved, especially the parents of the school children, so that we not only teach the children, but also create a Computer Centre that can service their community. A printer can be installed for printing out documents and an Internet café can eventually be set up. The sky is the limit for a school computer centre as it opens up computer training and other training to the teachers, children, parents and the people in community around them.

A “Computers for Africa” program has just recently been started and seems to be something that is well needed. We are in the process of communicating with Bupe from Tanzania about sending computers into Tanzania. We need to work out all the costs involved since transporting the computers can be a risky business. But we are certain that once we get the Tanzania-project going and know what to do, we will be able to send computers into other African countries as well.

The “Computer Donations Project” is a project that donates computers where there is a need. In giving (blessing) computers to either an Individual, an Organization or a Church we feel it brings hope and an uplifting to their communities. The Individual, Church or Organization needs to make a formal application to H.O.P.E-link explaining why they need a computer or computers. After prayer a decision is made and as the Holy Spirit directs. Not all who make application are given computers.

The Background Story of the H.O.P.E.-link Project
The project officially started in January 2001 and was originally started by the government of South Africa in conjunction with a private enterprise. The project was to bring desperately needed computer-technology into underprivileged schools. Right from the outset this project was seen as extremely important but started to fall to pieces only six months after inception. The reasons for this vary, but the overall reason was that this project was to benefit the poor, and the people involved soon began to realize that in order for this to succeed, it needed to be driven by compassion, patience and commitment. No one was going to get rich through it. The private concern pulled out in July 2001, just six months after the launching of the project.

Glenn Lewis shares his story:
I, at this stage, was involved with another program called “Computers into Schools”, but the focus was on the so-called model “C” and private schools. I was approached in August 2001 and asked if I would be willing to take over the project for the underprivileged schools.

At this stage I discussed the matter with a partner, and together we decided to set up meetings with the Kwa Zulu Education Department, whereby the project was made known to us. We were taken to a warehouse to look at computer equipment donated by the Government, and was destined for underprivileged schools. To say that we were shocked would be a gross understatement!

All of the equipment was obsolete “286’s”, “386’s” and “486’s” which had simply been dumped. I could see that this project was doomed to failure, and I immediately made a decision not to get involved.

However I was once again contacted by the Education Department and asked to reconsider, and finally – after certain conditions were met - I gave in and an agreement was reached.

Right from the outset it was clear that the Lord was involved in this whole set-up. How? Well, we started employing people who were in need them selves, and these included ex-prostitutes, drug addicts and the uneducated. As I look back on this period, I know it really was a step of faith. It started to take shape as a ministry when my wife and I started praying with our new staff and telling them about our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus. From here “H.O.P.E.-link” was born and the Lord planted a small home-church on our premises.

I shall never ever forget “our first school”, where we brought the donated computers. This school was situated in Umbulumbulu, South of Durban in Natal. As we entered the school, children who were aware that we were at the school to bring computers erupted into joyous jubilation and started praising God. Years before this I had been a veteran of the townships as a soldier, and then later as a policeman at the height of the riots up to the time of independence, I had vowed never to enter a township again, and yet, here I was again. God had a sense of humour and a plan, and I soon realized that the computers opened a door, not only for technology, but also for paving a way of sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We were ready to launch the project in January 2002. To date, as a result of God’s love, strength and provision combined with my wife, Delia and myself, we have – together with partners – reached 55 schools and impacted around 75,000 folk. The work has included donation programs into poor black churches, and into missions focusing on rehabilitation and caring.

The work is only in its beginning, and we desperately need computers that work, and – above all – people who will give of their time and finances to help us speed up this whole project.

A source of inspiration to me is the fact that most black schools in South Africa today, have hung up posters depicting, “Power is not guns, knives, sticks or stones but education”. There is an understanding of the urgent importance of education, and we are aware that all too many black pupils are leaving school with very little or no computer exposure. What future do they have in this world of ours?

For further information we can be contacted through the “Mission Made in Africa” -website: www.mmafrica.com or by telephone on 082 7444 922 (Glenn), 084 819 0364 during office hours.

Thanking you in Christ,

Glenn Lewis,
A servant in obedience.