Newsroom
Computers for Uruguay
PRNewswire
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay and FEDERAL WAY, Wash.
Sep 20, 2004
President Jorge Batlle Ibanez of Uruguay formally accepted a Weyerhaeuser Company donation of 500 computers for the country's schools and learning centers. At a recent ceremony, President Battle was presented with one of the computers, sealed in a Weyerhaeuser box decorated with the signatures of many of the volunteer employees who worked on the project.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040116/WYLOGO-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040116/WYLOGO-b )
Dozens of employees contributed hundreds of hours in the evening and weekends to help prepare surplus computers to be donated to schools in Uruguay. "Computers for Uruguay" is a project to collect, refurbish and distribute 500 surplus desktop computers to school children in the country of Uruguay. This project was launched in recognition of Weyerhaeuser's joint ventures in Uruguay.
"This is not only about the 500 computers. It is about the uncountable number of people who helped prepare the computers, who donated the transport, who helped with the distribution here in Uruguay, who helped with technical support. It is the attitude of solidarity from all those who participated that is the real value," said Dr. Batlle.
"We're very happy to be able to donate these computers to urban and rural schools in Uruguay," said Steven R. Rogel, Weyerhaeuser chairman, president and chief executive officer. "These computers will improve the learning environment across Uruguay and help teachers achieve their educational goals, with over 32,000 students of all grade levels benefiting."
Weyerhaeuser employees have worked closely with key information technology supplier partners in order to complete the project. Key supplier partners include Microsoft as the software supplier; Dell for specialty components including monitors and Spanish keyboards; Hewlett Packard for printers; EDS personnel for software installation and testing services; and Office Depot for LaserJet toner cartridges. Global Forest Partners provided financial support while P&O Nedlloyd donated shipping from the U.S. to Uruguay. Many employees of the partner companies also volunteered to help prepare the computers. The U.S. Embassy in Uruguay assisted with general support and coordination.
The desktop computer hardware became available as a result of Weyerhaeuser's Common Operating Environment (COE) Project, and were donated to support a program initiated by Uruguayan President Dr. Jorge Batlle Ibanez.
Related stories can be found on the following links. From the United States Embassy in Montevideo: http://uruguay.usembassy.gov/usaweb/paginas/185-00EN.shtml From Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2004/sep04/09-13Uruguay.asp
Weyerhaeuser Company, (NYSE: WY) one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2003, sales were $19.9 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products and practices is available at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/ .
For more information contact: U.S.: Frank Mendizabal, 253-924-3357 Uruguay: Ralph Schmidt-Liermann, 598-632-8741Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040116/WYLOGO-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040116/WYLOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
SOURCE: Weyerhaeuser Company
CONTACT: U.S.: Frank Mendizabal, +1-253-924-3357; or Uruguay: Ralph
Schmidt-Liermann, 598-632-8741, both of Weyerhaeuser Company
Web site: http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/