CamCab’s laptop gift highlights plight of 1,748 city pupils without a computer
CamCab, the Coldhams Road-based taxi company, has provided 10 new laptops for distribution to local pupils.
“We’re donating them for Cambridge education,” said CamCab founder Rowhi Nemer. “It’s good for students who can’t afford laptops.”
The idea originated with Mona Nemer, the secretary of the company, and a former teacher.
“It was her idea,” says Rowhi. “She knows how children suffer.”
The laptops were delivered to The Centre School, Cottenham and The Harbour School in Wilburton.
The Centre School thanked CamCab on social media, saying: “Today we were very kindly gifted five brand new HP laptops from CamCab Taxi to enable more of our students to access our online learning provision. In such challenging times, these acts of kindness and generosity are truly appreciated! Thank you so much!”
Figures published this week show 1,748 children in Cambridge do not have access to a computer for home learning.
Quizzing the education secretary in the Commons on Monday, Daniel Zeichner MP highlighted the impact this was having on children’s learning.
Mr Zeichner said: “The issue is that children who are studying right now at home need laptops – in fact they needed them weeks ago.
“Divides are being entrenched as some children can access online learning while others struggle with photocopied text book pages.”
CamCab has always supported community initiatives since the service began in 2004 – over the festive season its drivers made a welcome delivery to Jimmy’s Cambridge.
Mark Allan, chief executive of the homeless organisation, said: “We were given enough food to feed our residents at our two hostels on East Road and Newmarket Road, and deliver to our shared houses, so in total the food fed over 60 people.
“It included 15 turkeys, nearly 50kg of vegetables and 25 Christmas puddings, among other things including gravy, stuffing and pigs in blankets.
“It was a very generous donation, and one we and the residents are very grateful to Camcab for delivering to us again this year.”