Answering the Call

TEAR Fund has many Microenterprise clients in the Philippines who could manage their small businesses smarter and more safely if they had access to a mobile phone. That is where you can help by recycling your old Vodafone or Telecom mobile phone. 

TEAR Fund has teamed up with partners, Enable Community, (a not for profit organisation working to provide access to communications to those that would otherwise find it unaffordable), Vodafone and TEAR Fund’s partner in the Philippines, Centre for Community Transformation (CCT), to re-use old mobiles owned by Kiwis.

The Answering the Call scheme is being launched by the partners and microfinance guru David Bussau, on Friday April 4. Most of TEAR Fund’s Microenterprise projects are based on David Bussau’s microcredit model.  
Kiwis can bring any old mobile phone and accessories to their nearest Vodafone outlet, Noel Leeming or Bond & Bond store, where they will be sent for recycling for a good cause. Normally the phones are ground up and some parts are salvaged, but there is a need in the developing world for this technology.

Mobile phones will in many ways help micro-entrepreneurs who have taken out microfinance loans, to make their businesses more viable. As many people don’t have access to transport or the internet, they have to accept the price offered by their suppliers. But with a phone, they can shop around for the best price quickly and easily. There are also safety issues around the collection of their loan repayments. In fact some of CCT’s workers have been robbed or killed. Eventually these business people will be able to pay and receive their loan via their mobiles, keeping themselves and CCT workers safe.        
    
How can I recycle my old mobile/s?
Simply bring your old mobiles and phone accessories like batteries and chargers in to any Vodafone, Bond and Bond or Noel Leeming store, or send them to Vodafone for free at:

Freepost
Vodafone Handset Recycling Programme
Private Bag 92222
Auckland

To watch a short video clip for this campaign Click here

To learn more about the `Answering the call’ visit the websites below: 

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/personal/about/corporate-responsibility/mobile-recycling.jsp

www.enablecommunity.org.nz