FAQ

The local partners (such as universities) are chosen on the basis of a number of selection criteria: country, security, reliability, project involvement etc. YouBridge will ask its partner Close The Gap to make the selection.

Absolutely! Ultimately, YouBridge decides about the partners independently, but it is always open to hearing good advice and suggestions.

In this first phase, YB has chosen IHSU as local partner, a well-known university in Uganda. The objective of YB is to become active in different countries all over the world with a permanent partner in each country. YB is particularly interested in the willingness of the local partner and their interaction with young people. This partner does not always have to be a university.

No, but the local partner does pay 25€ for each laptop that they receive in order to cover a part of the transport costs. The young people do not pay anything.

Yes, in order to make sure that everything runs smoothly on the spot. The partners and the profiles are chosen carefully and with full transparency. The contract requires that the local partner provides for the necessary security, a separate class room, typing lessons and full cooperation with the project. Young people who wish to be eligible for a laptop must be able to speak and write English, be 100% motivated to participate and have to agree to use the laptop solely for learning/educational purposes.

YouBridge is collaborating with its partner "Close The Gap" – which has long-standing practical experience with sending PC’s all over the world – in order to safely guarantee the distribution. The laptops are sent to the University, which in turn distributes them among the students.

YouBridge signs a contract with the local partner (university) in which they undertake to keep the laptops in secured rooms, locked up and protected. The laptops remain on the spot.

This aspect is also a part of the contract with the local partners. They have to invest in order to procure sufficient bandwidth.

The students (profiles on the website) are also signing a contract in which they commit themselves to communicating openly and easily. To facilitate this, the universities are providing an online typing course.

The contract with the local partner stipulates that a specific assistant be appointed to handle the follow-up and maintenance.

The laptop remains the school’s property, the donor will get another contact-student. (the same situation as with Plan International)

The laptops have a selling price of €350. The amount of 190€ covers the hardware and the transport of the laptop.

YouBridge has been a non-profit organisation since October 2009.

No, YB is currently composed of three directors who are managing the organisation in their spare time.

The directors are assisted by a Board of Directors composed of “wise men and women” with different social backgrounds. YB is also a sister organisation of Close The Gap – an NGO which has amply proven itself in the past and has long-standing experience in the field.

Our application to make the donations tax-deductible is under consideration. We shall communicate this as soon as we have an answer.

The online payment tool of YB is in collaboration with ikwilhelpen.be. This is a fully transparent organisation that handles the online payments of many large and small NGOs, such as Sensoa, Broederlijk delen, Plan International, Vredeseilanden, etc. More information: www.ikwilhelpen.be Or read our brochure. (brochure enclosed)