[imc-tech-solidarity] Re: Update on tech solidarity projects

[Pablo Ortellado]

An update on Brazil:

The issue of the donation of computers has been discussed in most 
collectives of the IMC Brazil network, but the general feeling is that it 
is impossible to receive a sizeable number of computers from Argentina 
(actually, even a small number - even to Porto Alegre, which is relatively 
close). That would imply high costs of transportation (more expensive than 
bringing them straight from the US) and intricate bureaucracy. We really 
would like to know if its possible either to send a separate shipment to 
Brazil or to make this shipment somehow stop first at a Brazilian port. 
Since the first shipment to Ecuador was discussed, Indymedia Sao Paulo made 
a study of the logistics involved in receiving the computers and we even 
prepared a fiscal study about the laws involved with all this. Yesterday, 
we were offered free shipment from a donor to distribute a high quantity of 
equipment throughout the country (the offer dont cover international 
transport). IMC Brazil is a network of collectives established in 8 
different cities (plus 6 other collectives which are about to join) and 
with several hundred volunteers out of which we could get volunteers to be 
involved with all the logistics. Representatives from IMC Sao Paulo will 
have a meeting with this donor later this week and we really would like to 
know the availability of such a shipment to Brazil.

Best,

Pablo
Indymedia Sao Paulo
IMC Brazil Network