[imc-tech-solidarity] tech solidarty in brasil.2

[mic]

revised proposal, with updated funding information.

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Summary
The Tech Solidarity Project works to ship containers of computers to
Indymedia centers and social movements in the global south to build
popular communication capacity.  Our first shipment arrived in Quito and
has been distributed to indymedia, community radio stations, social
movements, and grassroots  NGO's.  A second shipment of computers is ready
to be sent to Brazil.  We are currently raising funds and working on the
international paperwork for this second shipment.

BackGround
The lack of computers available to civil society in Latin America has been
a large hindrance to realizing the benefits of an information society
experienced in more developed countries.  The computers are mostly
100-500mhz PCs that have been built from recycled computer components
discarded in the United States.

Over 220 computers have had a Spanish language version of Linux installed
on them in Berkeley and Portland and are currently stored in the Bay Area,
prepared to be shipped via container ship to Brazil.

The computers will then be shipped overland to Argentina, Bolivia, and
Uruguay working with prearranged receiving NGO's.  The computers will be
used to produce newspapers, websites and video documentaries, establish
training centers, and further develop the network of communications across
the hemisphere.

Budget
Computers, printers, networking tools...        $0 (paper value $100,000)
Shipping from Oakland to Santos                 $2375, 40 foot container
Shipping within South America and Customs Fees  $3000
Storage and shipment within the US              $2340

                               Total cost:      $7715
                               Funds Raised:    $2800
                               Funds In Brazil: $270
                               Funds Needed:    $4645

Indymedia Brazil has $270 the World Social Forum 2003. We propose
that instead of returning that money to the IMC global fund we use it to
cover costs in Brazil and getting the computers to Argentina, Bolivia, and
Uruguay.  Hence, this money will be going to cover costs encrued by
IMC;s in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil.  This means we need an
additional $3275 from the IMC Global funds to fund this project.

We have done extensive fundraising and solicited donations through the
website. This has raised substantial portion of the funds but we have not
been able to cover all the costs. This project will be bringing computers
in to the hands of indymedia and globalization activists at a cost of $32
per computer.


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"What we're really talking about is that people in the movement have a
socialist agenda. They are anti-corporate. That's way beyond radio and
broadcasting."

-Jason Kane, Regional Vice President of Programming for Clear Channel
Communications