United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “phones2orphans”

"I will give my old mobile phone to a orphan support group in Africa but only if 10 other people will do the same."

— Tim Jackson

Deadline to sign up by: 15th July 2005
14 people signed up (4 over target)

More details
I'm a supporter of the Firelight Foundation (www.firelightfoundation.org), which supports programmes in Africa for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Everyone knows about the African AIDS pandemic. Not many know that there are millions of kids in Africa whose parents have died but who get almost no support.

Firelight finances dozens of local community organizations in different African countries. I'm planning to visit some of their programmes before the end of this year, and the most valuable thing I can carry in my luggage is usable second-hand GSM mobile phones.

This is because a pay-as-you-go cellular phone is an incredibly useful tool for a local charity -- not least because it improves communication with supporters overseas.

If you're willing to donate your old phone, here's what would make your gift really helpful:

-Include a charger with the right plug (I can give you more details)
-Include the manual (or a link to a place on the web where it can be downloaded)
-Make sure the 'network lock' is removed (you can often do this free by downloading software off the web) so it can be used on an African network.

And if you donate a phone and I find a suitable community group that can make use of it, I'll let you know who they are so you can stay in contact with them.

Thank you.

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Comments on this pledge

  • I would, but I don't have an old mobile phone that works! However, I'll keep asking people and see if I can get some of them to sign up.
  • Thanks, Tom. Have you considered checking whether your mobile phone contract is more than 12 months old?

    Some people don't know that after a year, you can terminate the contract. But if you call the network, they'll usually give you a new phone for free in order to keep your business.

    That way, your existing one becomes an old one that you can donate!
    Tim, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Tim - can you give a URL for the software on the web? I have an old contract Nokia (and the charger ... not sure about a manual though - is that a deal breaker?) and I was already thinking the other day that I should look at the best ways to "recycle" it.
    Georgina Allen, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Georgina, I'll try to find a URL. But it sounds like you're saying you'd be willing to donate your Nokia anyway. It would be great if you could sign the pledge. Thank you!
    Tim, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Yes, will do so now! Just meant that I didn't want to pledge if I wasn't able to unlock the network lock - didn't want to send you a dud phone!
    Georgina Allen, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • So, I have an old phone and I have an old charger. I do NOT have an old sim card. Does that matter?
    KP, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • No problem at all. The person who receives your phone can easily buy a SIM card. It would be great if you could sign the pledge -- thank you!
    Tim Jackson, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • What a great pledge! My colleagues and I found the same during a prolonged stay in Sierra Leone, where mobile coverage has rapidly expanded to cover all the main towns and surrounding areas. A pledge to help specific local charities in paying for top-up cards might be a good follow up.
    Tom L, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Tom, I'm really glad you like the pledge. It would be great if you could sign up to it.

    If you don't have an old phone or a contract that's been running for more than 12 months (which entitles you to get a new phone and give us the old one) then please ask the colleagues who went with you to Sierra Leone.

    Thank you!
    Tim, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • hi tim,
    i've been hanging on to my old Nokia 3310 for just such an event! i even have two chargers for it. i don't however, have the manual but do have a website:
    http://www.nokia.co.uk/nokia/0,8764,1850....
    i don't think it was locked (i haven't used it in a while) and am happy to send all to you if you give me the details.
    cheers, jan.
    jan, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Dear Pledgers

    Welcome to Orla, Ian and Christian.

    If you haven't got my letter that contains information on how to get your mobile phone to me, then please send email to tim dot jackson at pobox dot com and I will send it to you.

    Thanks for your support!
    Tim, 6 years ago. Abusive? Report it!
  • Donating old, unwanted phones to a project such as this is a very good use of resources. However, I would not encourage people to needlessly upgrade their phones, and donate the old phone to the project.

    Coltan, a mineral used in the construction of mobile phones, is mostly found in the Congo region. Demand for mobile phones is fuelling war in this area, as well as putting endangered species at risk.

    Please read the following links for more information:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/natur...
This pledge is closed for new comments.

Current signatories (Green text = they've done it)

Tim Jackson, the Pledge Creator, joined by:

  • Conrad Roeber
  • James Cronin
  • Jeff Orenstein
  • Roger
  • Moll
  • Georgina Allen
  • Christian Furr
  • Rebecca Marsh
  • Clara McDermott
  • Diana Brown
  • orla
  • Iain Rowan
  • karina
  • Edward Deanie

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