Sister Rita recently ordered 12 computers for her students at St. Francis de Sales technical school in Kpalime, Togo. When they arrived, only one computer worked. For a school with 100 students, one working computer will not suffice.
When Marty Klenke of St. Susanna Parish in Mason, Ohio heard about Sister Rita’s predicament, he had the perfect solution — Charitable Computing Ministry would simply donate 18 laptops.
On Thursday, July 11, Marty and Sister Rita met for the first time at the Comboni Mission Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was already in the United States promoting her work as a Sister of the Visitation – a religious society started by St. Francis de Sales.
The connection between Marty and Sister Rita was made through Comboni Missionary Father Ruffino Ezama. After celebrating mass at St. Susanna parish he was talking with Marty about Sister Rita and her school in Togo.
For two years now Marty has run the Charitable Computing Ministry out of St. Susanna Parish. This ministry aims to provide free computers to charities of Warren County and the surrounding area — or in this case, to sisters in Togo.
During Marty’s visit with Sister Rita, he brought along the 18 laptops, docking stations and charging cables. For more than four hours, Marty taught Sister Rita how to repair and rebuild computers. Now, when she returns to her mission in Togo, Sister Rita can teach her students how to use the new laptops and she can repair the broken computers that were originally ordered for the school.
Charitable Computing Ministry
The Charitable Computing Ministry refurbishes donated computers for charities and persons in need. In the past two years they have fixed-up and given away hundreds of computers to places like the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Venice on Vine, and area food banks.
Corporate Sponsorships are an important part of this ministry’s success. Gensuite LLC donated the 18 laptops that are going with Sister Rita to Togo. Ryan Professional Services, Storm Guard, and Fameccanica North America Inc also support Charitable Computing Ministry.
After receiving a donated computer, Marty or another member of the team, sets about erasing the hard drive. After the disks are clean they install the free Linux Lubuntu software. Marty also loads each computer with how-to videos, teaching users about the computer and software.
Learn more about Charitable Computer Ministry here.
Learn more about the Sisters of the Visitation here.
