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About Us [about.html] Support Programs Materials FAQ Links Events óêð Computers for Ukraine The Pittsburgh chapter of the Computers for Ukraine program recently shipped an additional 170 computers to schools, libraries, and community centers throughout Ukraine. According to Karl Skutski, director of the local organization, Computers for Ukraine has collected, refurbished and shipped nearly 1000 pieces of computer equipment since the organization was founded in 2001. The recent shipment included 100 computers sponsored by PLAST, the Ukrainian scouting organization, which will distribute them to schools across the nation. The other computers were sent to a wide range of educational institutions in six different oblasts, including the Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Research of Diaspora Institute, the Institute for Eastern European Development, plus primary and secondary schools, and community and cultural centers. They were sponsored by individual donors, the Canejo Valley Rotary Club, and the Kobzar Society. The Kobzar Society is the parent 501(c)3 organization of the Computers for Ukraine program. It was founded and is directed by O. J. Hanas of Lehighton, Pa. According to Skutski, the Pittsburgh program has grown significantly during the past several years. “We started by collecting a few computers, and sending them to Lehighton. Now we have our own technical center, warehouse space, spare parts inventory, a staff of part-time technicians, volunteer truck drivers, and part-time clerical staff, and can ship directly from Pittsburgh. We are also getting better computers—Pentium II’s or newer. Our technicians check every computer, add memory, CD-ROMs, Ethernet cards, and power adapters. The computers we are now sending are as good or better than what many of us have in our homes or businesses.” The technical center and warehouse are located at the Brother’s Brother Foundation on the North Side of Pittsburgh. “We couldn’t do this work without the support of the Brother’s Brother Foundation. They have been a godsend to our program,” notes Skutski. “We also have an excellent working relationship with the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association, whom we share resources with. They have a similar program in place for Slovakia. And local businesses, universities and hospitals have been very generous in donating their used computers. Dana Krupnyk and the local MEEST office on the South Side have also been very helpful.” Local members of the Ukrainian community can support the program in one of two ways—by donating computers (they must be Pentium II’s or newer) from their homes or businesses, and by contributing financially. The cost of sponsoring a computer is $200.00. For contributions of that amount, the donor can select the school, village or type of institution that will receive the computer. A plaque will also be placed at the location with the donor’s name. “What makes the program all worthwhile are the letters we receive from teachers and students,” said Skutski. “One teacher recently wrote—‘We are full of boundless joy! This gift will enable our village students to enter into modern life and help them become productive citizens of independent Ukraine.’ We also received a photograph of our computers set up in a school for handicapped children. One little girl with no arms was operating a keyboard with her toes—and she had a big smile on her face.” According to Skutski, the program continues to grow, and is exploring new partnerships. The Ukrainian Club of the University of Pittsburgh has offered to lend its support to the program, while discussions are currently underway with the Peace Corps in Ivano-Frankivsk to assist with the identification of needy organizations and distribution of computers. To donate a computer, contact Karl Skutski at 412-281-5656, or by e-mail: kskutski@skutski.com. Financial donations can be made by sending a check to the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Kobzar Society, c/o Skutski & Oltmanns, Inc., 100 First Avenue, Suite 700, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Please designate the contact name, organization, address, and phone number of the location in Ukraine if you would like to sponsor a computer. © Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute, 2002-2005 Webmaster