Computod@s

Computod@s, El Salvador was founded in August 2009 by two socially-minded Salvadoran businessmen and two North American volunteers in response to the persistent lack of access to computers among a majority of Central Americans. As a financially sustainable social business, Computod@s functions as a wholesale and retail distributor of affordable, refurbished computers to students, non-profit organizations, schools and businesses that serve low-income communities. Computod@s’ business model revolves around three core strategies: 1. Focus on our core competency: We sell affordable computer hardware and software to low-income Salvadorans. To make an impact on the technology market in a small country such as El Salvador we must strive to import, package, market, and distribute products and offer technical support on a national level. 2. Partner locally: Computod@s is run like a business but has a non-profit mission. Strategic alliances with organizations as diverse as business software providers and education-focused NGOs ensure that our products are appropriate and accessible in the many different contexts. 3. Source locally: Computod@s is steadily moving more processes from our value chain to El Salvador. From refurbishing to software installation, sales training and technical support, Computod@s is creating jobs and technical capacities in a country where often the only option for economic opportunity is to emigrate north. Computod@s is based in San Salvador, El Salvador.