CoderDojo Ireland and Park Place Technologies begin Laptop Lending Programme

Park Place Technologies is donating laptop computers to CoderDojo Ireland, the regional body of the CoderDojo Movement in Ireland. The laptops donated will be used to start a lending program so that kids can take the lap tops home and work with the lap tops and continue to explore and learn.

The laptops, equipped with licensed operating and virus protection software, will be donated to existing and new Dojos operating in areas identified by CoderDojo Ireland as being underserved with Dojos in relation to other communities.

Park Place Technologies has donated hundreds of laptop computers to schools and community programs in the United States and the United Kingdom.

CoderDojo is a worldwide movement of free, volunteer-led, community-based programming clubs for young people. Anyone aged 7 to 17 seventeen can visit a Dojo where they can learn to code, build a website, create an app or a game, and explore technology in an informal, creative, and social environment. CoderDojo Ireland is overseen by a volunteer board who donates their expertise and service.

Park Place employees have volunteered in Cork, Ireland for CoderDojo and London for Code Club. The Park Place London office has a pool of 12 volunteers who are involved on a rotating basis (two volunteers per week) in spending 1 hour every Thursday with the kids, to help them (and the teacher!) if they are stuck with the instructions.

“It’s great to see kids, keen to learn, engage, and have fun through IT and Technology, more so as the school we are associated with close to our London office, is in what is considered a deprived part of London,” said Simon Bitton, Park Place Director of Marketing, UK. “We are glad that Park Place Technologies is investing time in teaching kids the power and potential of IT and Technology at a young age. These kids, one day, could be our engineers, customers, employees of tomorrow and some of the great inventors and innovators of the world in the future, and to think that what they could or will achieve could have started from Code Club is something to behold.”

“This lending program made possible by Park Place Technologies will make a very real difference to many young people and their communities. By having access to a laptop for use in a Dojo setting even more young people will be able to participate in a Dojo in their community,” said Sandra Maguire, Chair of CoderDojo Ireland. “CoderDojo Ireland are delighted to be supporting this program and will be allocating laptops to Dojos in the coming weeks.”

Dojos can find further information on the program at coderdojo.ie

Park Place recently opened its new EMEA Operations Centre in City Quarter, Lapp’s Quay, Cork, Ireland. Park Place will invest in the creation of 70 + new tech jobs over the next two years. This new investment is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

IDA Ireland introduced Park Place to CoderDojo Ireland. Park Place was seeking a philanthropic partner in Ireland, that specifically would support /impact children and provide learning opportunities/access to technologies. “Education and access to technology are major global priorities for Park Place,” said Chris Adams, Park Place President and CEO. “From STEM initiatives to selected school systems to community organizations that serve veterans and those seeking adult educations, we believe laptop computers can help to level the playing field for those seeking education and opportunity.”

Future laptop donations are planned.