Join us as we imagine a Guatemala with
equitable access to computers for all citizens.
Welcome to Chaptops
The Chaptops mission is to bring computer technology to the students of Guatemala
The Problem
Guatemala is among the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Fewer than 5% of public schools have computers, and most of those have no Internet access. Middle-schoolers must pay private concerns for mandatory computer training. Yet, 60% of entry-level jobs now require computer competency.
How we help:
Chaptops, Inc. was incorporated in June 2022 after successfully shipping forty donated laptops to a rural secondary school and to a group of university scholars. The first donation came from Metabolon, Inc., and Tu Caja Express solved our "shipping puzzle". We have shipped around 230 recently retired laptops duty-free for about $10 each, with a reach of 1000+ students. In other words, a cash donation of $10 for shipping is matched 15 times or more by a corporate laptops donation.
Chaptops has supplied computers to three schools and a youth development program. In April 2023, Chaptops opened a storefront center in the town of Tactic, Alta Verapaz, where student access computers on site for free and can rent a computer to take home. Our new space, occupied since November 2023, is suitable for a classroom. We immediately offered a "computer camp" to eleven primary school kids during their school vacation. We have lots of plans for 2024.
Our website is ... tired ... and we're moving to a new platform soon.
Please check out our newsletters for up to date information.
Mid-December 2023 Newsletter
Giving Tuesday 2023 Newsletter
Thanksgiving 2023 Newsletter
October 2023 Newsletter
July 2023 Newsletter
June 2023 Birthday Newsletter
April 2023 Newletter
How Does It Work?
Companies Donate Retired Laptops
"Too old" for high-tech is "like new" for Guatemalan schools.
Businesses and Individuals Sponsor Shipments to Guatemala
$200 ships 20 laptops.
Schools and Organizations Deploy Computers to Students
We're also planning a student Tech Center in the town of Tactic.
Subscribe
Sign up for our newsletter.
Learn about progress on our new Tech Center in Tactic.
And learn about Guatemala.
We don't share emails, and you can always unsubscribe.
Subscribe
Sign up for our newsletter.
Learn about progress on our new Tech Center in Tactic.
And learn about Guatemala.
We don't share emails, and you can always unsubscribe.
Why "Chaptops"???
"Chapín" is a nickname Guatemalans have adopted for themselves, rather like "Hoosier", "Nutmegger", or "Tarheel". Strangely, it appears to have its origin in the name of tall platform shoes worn by well-heeled women in the colonial period. (Pun just unavoidable.)