WildTech is the Washington DC region's leading computer refurbishing organization. We receive thousands of donated computers from generous corporations and government agencies, refurbish them, and place them with individuals, nonprofits, and schools in need — in most cases, the only way these recipients can get a free or low-cost computer. As one of the founders of the nonprofit computer refurbishing industry (see our history), WildTech has provided tens of thousands of refurbished computers to people and organizations across the United States and Africa — most recently equipping classrooms in Benin and Tanzania with refurbished laptops in 2026.
Device Access
Access to a computer is not a luxury — it is a necessity. 90% of people look for jobs on the Internet, and 97% of students need a computer to complete their homework. Remote work, telehealth, government services, and everyday communication all assume you have a device and know how to use it. For those without technology access, the modern world is simply out of reach.
The Real Stats
In Washington DC, 25% of households lack broadband internet, and 17% have no computer at home. This Digital Divide is deepest in Wards 5, 7, and 8 — the same Wards with the largest African American populations and the fewest economic opportunities. It cuts hardest in the homeless community in every ward, where few own a computer, have internet access, or know how to use one.
The divide is vastly greater in the African nations we serve. In Tanzania, only 4.8% of people own a computer. In Benin, it is about 6%. We serve schools of 3,000+ students that have never had a single computer — and in small villages, many people have never seen one. Without technology access and digital skills, an entire generation is locked out of the modern economy.
Our Solution
When the Pandemic Hit, We Went Outside
Since 1995, WildTech has been bridging the Digital Divide in major U.S. cities and eight African nations — few organizations know this problem better. Now we're in the final push of our campaign to end the Digital Divide by 2030, and we need your help:
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Donate your used laptop. WildTech will refurbish it and place it with an individual, school, or nonprofit that needs it. One laptop changes one life — it's that direct.
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Make a financial donation. Your gift covers the hardware, software, and labor needed to refurbish computers, so we can provide them at no cost. $50 refurbishes one laptop.
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Need a computer? If you are a low-income individual, school, or nonprofit organization, you qualify to receive a refurbished computer from WildTech for a small cost-recovery fee.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, we never worked harder or more creatively. With family members and neighbors stepping in as emergency volunteers, we redesigned our workspace for airflow and distancing — refurbishing and placing laptops at a record pace so people could learn and connect from home. We will never forget the winter of 2020: staff and volunteers working outside, often at night, in below-freezing temperatures, preparing life-saving devices for those without them.
A DC senior receives her refurbished laptop and first one-on-one training session.
This Program Would Not Be Possible without the Help of our Generous Donors Including:
