Refurbished desktop computers and monitors were donated to several residents of Thompson May 5, thanks to a partnership between the University College of the North (UCN) Northern Workforce Development Centre (NWDC), Tech Manitoba, Computers for Schools and NCN Thompson Bus Lines.
With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down schools and people encouraged to stay home as much as possible and not gather in groups of more than 10, the need for communications and learning technology has increased, particularly for those who can’t afford to purchase electronic devices.
“People need more connectivity,” said Kunal Mahajan of UCN NWDC.
Tech Manitoba and Computers for Schools have provided 241 refurbished and sanitized computers to people in need across the province, including 26 in Thompson and 18 in other Northern Manitoba communities.
“People are very happy. They get a free computer,” said Tim Gibson of UCN NWDC, noting that many recipients were surprised to receive a call informing them that they had picked, as many were nominated by others.
One of the recipients was Cheryl Crane of Thompson, who has four children, two of whom are still in school.
“They’ve been bugging me to get school assignments,” she said. “It will help them a lot.”
NCN Thompson Bus Lines shipped 101 of the computers to 46 communities, including 44 to Thompson and Northern Manitoba. The company’s chief operating officer Sid Varma expressed the company’s thanks to first responders, medical staff and Northern Regional Health Authority employees for their efforts during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and said passenger operations will be starting up again on Sunday.
“We are excited to run our regular passenger routes [from Thompson to Cross Lake and Winnipeg] again from May 10,” said Varma, adding that the company also ships freight once a week to Split Lake and three times a week to Nelson House, while also having the ability to ship anywhere in Manitoba.
