PC Donation Program (2024-)
Lights On Children’s PC Donation Program (2024-) provides laptop donations to high school students and youths (up to approximately 22 years old) living under social care, who present for at least three minutes on “why they need a computer.”
日本語 / ENGLISH
In the PC Donation Program, participants are required to give a oral presentation for at least three minutes on “why they need a computer.” Those who meet this requirement will be gifted a laptop (refurbished).
This progam is for high school students and youths (up to about 22 years old) who are under social care.
We aim to provide computers and empower the future possibilities of those who, for instance:
- Have secured college admission but cannot afford a computer
- Desire to learn typing and office software for future job prospects
- Seek to broaden their hobbies through computer use
Participant’s Voices
I will be attending university
to study architecture and design.
If I could receive a computer,
I would like to create architectural drawings,
3D models, and presentation materials
to convey my ideas and collaborate with others. (From presentation)
to study architecture and design.
If I could receive a computer,
I would like to create architectural drawings,
3D models, and presentation materials
to convey my ideas and collaborate with others. (From presentation)
I am graduating from an industrial high school
and plan to start working for
a transportation company.
I anticipate needing computer skills
to analyze and summarize sales data,
so I would like to be able to practice at home.
Due to financial constraints,
I've never thought about
having my own computer before. (From presentation)
and plan to start working for
a transportation company.
I anticipate needing computer skills
to analyze and summarize sales data,
so I would like to be able to practice at home.
Due to financial constraints,
I've never thought about
having my own computer before. (From presentation)
I am studying office skills at
a vocational school
starting this spring.
To obtain Microsoft
Office certifications,
I would like to be able
to practice at home. (From presentation)
a vocational school
starting this spring.
To obtain Microsoft
Office certifications,
I would like to be able
to practice at home. (From presentation)
I was very nervous during the presentation,
but it was a good experience.
I'll make good use of the computer.
Thank you. (From post-event survey)
but it was a good experience.
I'll make good use of the computer.
Thank you. (From post-event survey)
Program Overview
(Updated April 8th 2025)
Eligible Participants
Those who meet all four of the following criteria:
- Currently living or have lived in a children's home (児童養護施設), independence support home (自立援助ホーム), facility to support the development of children's self-sustaining capacity (児童自立支援施設), psychological treatment facility for children (児童心理治療施設), mother and children's home (母子生活支援施設), foster family (里親家庭), or family home (ファミリーホーム) located in Tokyo*1, Chiba, Saitama or Kanagawa prefectures
- High school seniors and youths up to approximately 22 years of age
- In need of a computer and do not currently own one*2
- In principle, own a smartphone
*1
Includes Tokyo-administered facilities in other prefectures.
*2
Includes those who only own a Windows 10 computer that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. A separate program will be available for those who received a laptop from Lights On Children by the end of the 2023 fiscal year but are unable to upgrade to Windows 11. Please refer to this document for details: パソコン寄贈 Windows11移行対応プログラム_概要.
Schedules
- Presentations (details below) will be scheduled irregularly, aiming for two days every other month with approximately eight participant slots. There may be periods with more or fewer sessions.
- While primarily scheduled for daytime on Saturdays, we may increase options during long school breaks for high school students.
Specific recruitment and scheduling announcements will be sent to facilities and support organizations via email approximately every one to two months.
Requirements for Donation
To receive a donated laptop, applicants must:
- Prepare an oral presentation of at least three minutes explaining "why you require a computer"
- Present via video conference with their face clearly visible
- Answer any questions posed
The donation decision will not be influenced by the quality of the presentation content or delivery.
The reason “why you require a computer” are not required to be related to academic or career pursuits. Applicants do not need to provide their personal background.
The reason “why you require a computer” are not required to be related to academic or career pursuits. Applicants do not need to provide their personal background.
Image of a video conference presentation for oral presentations (as seen by Lights On Children)
Laptops to be Donated
The donated laptops are Refreshed PCs, meaning they are used computers that have been refurbished at a factory with component replacements, cleaning, and quality checks. While they generally appear as new, they may exhibit slight signs of use.
The operating system is Windows 11 Pro.
Microsoft Office and other office software licenses are not included (however, the browser version of Microsoft Word etc. (Microsoft 365 for the web) and other similar services are available for free).
Microsoft Office and other office software licenses are not included (however, the browser version of Microsoft Word etc. (Microsoft 365 for the web) and other similar services are available for free).
Laptops will be delivered to the facilities/organizations. Participants are expected to perform the initial setup after receiving the computer (a setup guide will be provided). The donation will be completed once the facility/organization staff fills out a Google Form.
Application Process
Facilities and organizations that are interested in applying should initially register to this program’s mailing list.
Mailing List Registration Form
https://forms.gle/P3WHqaQFUa7GtC1m8
https://forms.gle/P3WHqaQFUa7GtC1m8
The following facilities and organizations located in Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama or Kanagawa prefectures are eligible to register:
*including Tokyo-administered facilities in other prefectures
- Children's home (児童養護施設)
- Independence support home (自立援助ホーム)
- Facility to support the development of children's self-sustaining capacity (児童自立支援施設)
- Psychological treatment facility for children (児童心理治療施設)
- Mother and children's home (母子生活支援施設)
- Foster care agency (里親支援機関) / Foster care support center (里親支援センター) (commissioned by local governments)
- Social care independence support program and independence support center (社会的養護自立支援事業・自立支援拠点) (commissioned by local governments)
- Child guidance center (児童相談所)
