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December 5, 2024

Why we bought the first computers locally

The first 15 PCs came from a market in Kumasi. That wasn’t an accident — and it wasn’t a limitation.

In November 2024, facing the task of equipping Christian Life Academy with computers, the obvious idea was to ship hardware from Germany. We deliberately chose against that — and bought locally instead.

Reasons

  • Speed: Local buys are usable on the spot. No container, no customs delay.
  • Local economy: Our money stays in the region.
  • Serviceability: Devices sold in the local market can be repaired and replaced there.
  • Realism: The setup matches what other local schools can also operate long-term.

What we learned

  • There are serious dealers with clean invoices — critical for our German bookkeeping.
  • Ex-USA container goods strike a good balance between modern and affordable.
  • Clear specifications prevent surprises at purchase time.

Buying local was no compromise for the start — it was part of the approach.


What the 15 computers became: today the school in Bremang has a computer lab with 40+ PCs — teacher workstation, projector, AC, and Starlink internet since March 2025.