Laptop for third world???

[dpuck1998]

sorry, I guess I don't understand. Wouldn't third world children be better served with food, clothes, housing than a laptop? Where are they going to get wifi? What are they going to do with a laptop if they are in poverty stricken areas? I'm very confused....

[Patti_C]

I totally agree! We need them for our own country, take care of our own first.

[chicagodisneyfan]

The mission of this organization is wonderful:
OLPC’s mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education.

While children are by nature eager for knowledge, many countries have insufficient resources to devote to education—sometimes less than $20 per year per child (compared to an average of $7,500 in the United States).

By giving children their very own connected XO laptop, we are giving them a window to the outside world, access to vast amounts of information, a way to connect with each other, and a springboard into their future.

Currently for $399 you can buy a laptop for a child overseas, AND receive one yourself!

[dpuck1998]

The mission of this organization is wonderful:
OLPC’s mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education.

While children are by nature eager for knowledge, many countries have insufficient resources to devote to education—sometimes less than $20 per year per child (compared to an average of $7,500 in the United States).

By giving children their very own connected XO laptop, we are giving them a window to the outside world, access to vast amounts of information, a way to connect with each other, and a springboard into their future.

Currently for $399 you can buy a laptop for a child overseas, AND receive one yourself!

Your only paying 200 for a laptop and donating 200 to a child overseas. Which is fine, but its not like your getting a free laptop. I read the details and you can only claim 200 of it on your taxes as a charitable donation. And the laptop is a small, inexpensive laptop you could get for 200. I'm not saying not to donate, but it seems like 200 could be put to better use for most of those children.

[merryweather20]

I think it sounds a little crazy myself. The last model I had seen, they removed the hand-crank for various reasons but hadn't come up with a good alternate power source.

Count me among the people that think its a crazy idea, I think the children would be far better served with one of these gifts:

http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10047&xxwvNavItemId=0

[Minnie's Mate]

I think it sounds a little crazy myself. The last model I had seen, they removed the hand-crank for various reasons but hadn't come up with a good alternate power source.

Count me among the people that think its a crazy idea, I think the children would be far better served with one of these gifts:

http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10047&xxwvNavItemId=0

They replaced the hand crank with solar cells to power it.

The idea is to provide the children with access to technology that will allow them to move themselves into the 21st century and become self sufficient in the industrialized world instead of leaving them in the agrarian societies that, in their part of the world, keeps them in "third world" economies and poverty stricken.

You decide which is better in the long term: buy them technological advancement and educational opportunities or a goat and five ducks.

[nikjd68]

The point is to give these children a chance to develop skills that may benefit them in their lives.

I wouldn't want one of these computers: they run a version of Linux (no Windows or Mac OS) and will be 100% incompatible with anything else you use. Many techies are getting one as a conversation piece.

To say we shouldn't be helping children in other countries like one poster wrote seems completely at odds with what most people on this site are like. I wonder what it must be like to hate a child simply because they don't live w/in our borders.

The fact this isn't food or clothes really isn't the point. To treat people as if the only charity they deserve is the absolute minimum they require to live is pathetic.

[nikjd68]

I totally agree! We need them for our own country, take care of our own first.

Your parents must be proud.

[merryweather20]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a goat and five ducks. Such gifts can amount to a concrete business opportunity. The suggestions provided by World Vision take into account the needs, the climate and skills of the various communities to which they are provided. They're not the "absolute minimum" they are well thought out opportunities that can provide long-term for the recipients.

Many people in the States and Canada make their living in agrarian occupations, farming and agriculture are certainly nothing to sneeze at.

The computer project just seems full of holes to me. Solar cells mean the children can only use the computers outdoors in good weather, many of these children go to unlit classrooms so they wouldn't be able to use them in school (I know how easy my lap-top screen is to read in the bright sunshine :sad2: ). I'm to just buy one and hope that the wifi will be in place and sufficient? I'm to just buy one and hope that the computers won't be targeted for theft? If the computer breaksm the children won't be able to fix them themselves either. For any educational value the children will still need a teacher to guide them, not to mention the dubious wifi.

Yep, I'd take a goat and five ducks anyday.

[nikjd68]

"I don't think there is anything wrong with a goat and five ducks. Such gifts can amount to a concrete business opportunity."

These computers are meant for kids. Kids, even in the Third World, should be trying to learn, not taking advantage of a "concrete business opportunity".

"The computer project just seems full of holes to me. Solar cells mean the children can only use the computers outdoors in good weather, many of these children go to unlit classrooms so they wouldn't be able to use them in school (I know how easy my lap-top screen is to read in the bright sunshine :sad2: )."

The solar cells charge a battery. You don't need to stay outside in the sun to use the computer.

[merryweather20]

Yes the kids do need a concrete business opportunity, farm animals bee-hives, what-ever the case will allow the FAMILY to be self-sufficient. Besides that statement was only made to the poster that scoffed at providing goats and ducks, world vision has many opportuities to look out for anyone, be it schools, or school supplies for children, bikes for the safety of teen-age girls, opportunities for families.

I like their well thought out ideas, better than throwing a computer at a kid and hoping they'll be better to learn from it.

As for the solar cells, they're not going to be magically more efficient than an ything we have here. That'll mean only using them outside.

[dpuck1998]

Wow, some piling on...hopefully none of that directed to me. I didn't read from anyone that "I hate children" thats a serious leap!

For the record. I just think laptops are a huge luxury item and if they are sending the to poverty stricken regions that the money might be spent better on something else for them. There are plenty ways to "teach a man to fish" without a laptop. I'm all for charity and think we should always look outside our borders to help everyone dispite where they live. Seems like a lot of holes in this idea however. Unless I'm not reading it right, the solor power is an addition cost. How/where are they getting wifi? When the break..and they will....who is going to fix them? I work in a school and there is a push to use techonolgy to teach everything. I personally think that using software to teach is going to far. Nothing wrong with three "R" the old fashioned way. Technology has a place, but interaction and learning can be done just as well with books and pen/paper.

[cybertheo]

third world kids don't want laptops anyways, they want cell phones

[PrincessNED]

I agree with the posters who have expressed that this type of learning opportunity should be afforded to not only the third world children but those North American children who, at no fault of their own, have limited opportunities to learn about technology and the power access to information it provides.

[MomofKatie]

OMG people- if you want to support the charity, do. If you don't, don't. Must it turn into a big debate?? :confused3

[nikjd68]

I agree with the posters who have expressed that this type of learning opportunity should be afforded to not only the third world children but those North American children who, at no fault of their own, have limited opportunities to learn about technology and the power access to information it provides.

Every library I have walked into in the last 5 years, has numerous computers hooked up to high-speed internet access and employees are there to help you. Many have sections dedicated for use by children only, with filtering software, etc.

You can't beat free (and free help)!

[nikjd68]

I agree with the posters who have expressed that this type of learning opportunity should be afforded to not only the third world children but those North American children who, at no fault of their own, have limited opportunities to learn about technology and the power access to information it provides.

Every library I have walked into in the last 5 years has numerous computers hooked up to high-speed internet access and employees are there to help you. Many have sections dedicated for use by children only, with filtering software, etc.

You can't beat free (and free help)!

[chicagodisneyfan]

Every school has computers, every library has them too. I am unaware of ANY child in the US who does not have access to technology and learning if they want it.

[ExBellhop]

I wouldn't want one of these computers: they run a version of Linux (no Windows or Mac OS) and will be 100% incompatible with anything else you use.

Not to send this thread TOO far in a different direction, but I strongly disagree with the statement above. My Linux-based laptop plays just fine with all other systems on my network - far from 100% incompatible.

Furthermore, WalMart continues to sell and sell out of their $200-$300 computer that runs a Linux-variant OS.

I can surf the net, send email, and do word processing on my Linux box(es) - the same as anyone that shelled out big bucks for a Windows/Mac OS.

Anyway, rant over :) I guess I'm just saying "don't be scared because its Linux".

-ExBellhop

[solfan68]

The OLPC(one laptop per child) Project essentially takes the approach of "Teach a man to fish..." As I understand it, the wireless would be available via the schools. And the laptop can run both on electric/battery as well as by hand(a crank or foot pedal).

[merryweather20]

The OLPC(one laptop per child) Project essentially takes the approach of "Teach a man to fish..." As I understand it, the wireless would be available via the schools. And the laptop can run both on electric/battery as well as by hand(a crank or foot pedal).

:confused3 But teaching a man to fish is practical, they can get themselves a fish, and they won't be hungry.

This is more give a child a computer and hope the wifi works, hope it doesn't break, hope the free laptops aren't targeted for theft and hope they learn something.

As for the foot pedal and hand-crank they were removed and replaced with solar cells, that they hope will work.

[solfan68]

:confused3 But teaching a man to fish is practical, they can get themselves a fish, and they won't be hungry.


I guess I simply don't see it that way. I'm reminded of the Playpump. A rather ingenious solution that puts one of those old school merry go rounds on top of a water pump. These devices have been installed in villages in Africa, and through some very creative engineering provide clean water. Kids play, the village gets clean water.

I won't deny there's clearly a need for food. And I don't think OLPC is saying that mesh wireless will solve the world's problems. But what if the next great food idea could come from the next generation ? Again, give a man a fish and eats for a day. One man's humble take on the situation.

[rsbuxt]

I totally agree! We need them for our own country, take care of our own first.

Wow, very very sad.

Rich ...Suddenly proud to be English

[Disneybridein2k3]

Putting on my flame retardant suit to add my .02 to the "give a man a fish" debate....
I know there are some opponents here for the OLPC charity, and yes, they are being donated to children in third world countries. But you never know if a child has access to the right technology, who the next surgeon, scientist, etc is going to be. Now I'm not saying farming isn't an honorable profession, but I don't think everyone in the country wants to grow up to be a farmer.

[ExBellhop]

I believe a school in Alabama just purchased 15,000 of these laptops for their own district.

Here's the link. (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1195463987242670.xml&coll=2&thispage=1)

Enjoy,
ExBellhop

[merryweather20]

Putting on my flame retardant suit to add my .02 to the "give a man a fish" debate....
I know there are some opponents here for the OLPC charity, and yes, they are being donated to children in third world countries. But you never know if a child has access to the right technology, who the next surgeon, scientist, etc is going to be. Now I'm not saying farming isn't an honorable profession, but I don't think everyone in the country wants to grow up to be a farmer.

But they aren't planning on providing medical school, or scholarships to the children. Just a laptop, and learn gosh darn it!

Its not about farming and not farming, its the fact that the world vision ideas, go somewhere useful (and no, not all involve farming). They're useful, maintainable and marketable for the individual areas.

The same money could be spent on books, which don't need questionable wifi, maintenance, or solar batteries. The same money could be provided for students to attend institutes of higher learning.

If they still desperately needed to give poor children computers, why wouldn't they combine it with something that would get the children from point A to point B. Like the aforementioned scholarships.

[DisneyKevin]

I am a bit surprised with the negativity toward this charity.

There are many charities to which I would not donate but I would never suggest that anyone else not. Charity is a very personal thing.

If you feel that this is not the charity for you, then by all means, donate to the charity of your choice, whether it's in your own back yard or across the globe.

I myself, find it hard to critize any legitinate chartity attempting to make the world a better place.

Kevin

[sconnell]

I don't normally jump in on conversations like this, but for some reason I felt like I need to on this one. I understand the mission of the OLPC. I think that they have a great idea and in some areas, this is just what they need. BUT, I think that there are many places that are in such dire shape, that this would be like putting a band aid over a gushing wound.
I think that we in America, tend to think about third world countries as places who are the gushing wounds. Places where every 3-6 seconds people are dying because they don't have clean water. There is a place in Kenya where 1 million people live in 1 square mile. In this place, a laptop isn’t a bad thing, but clean water… that’s the difference in life and death.
There’s nothing wrong with the laptops, but I can’t help but think there are other things that should come first. This summer, my husband will be traveling to Karagoto, Kenya to help build wells and other things like that.

Do you know...
•Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS
•50,000 children will die of AIDS this year
•1,400 newborn Africans are infected with AIDS everyday
•There are 900,000 orphans in Nairobi, Kenya today, mainly due to AIDS
•More than 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1 a day
•Every 3 seconds a child dies of nutrition deprivation/starvation
•More than 300 million people in Africa do not have access to clean water
•1 million children die of malaria each year

[two-foxes]

This summer, my husband will be traveling to Karagoto, Kenya to help build wells and other things like that.

Do you know...
•Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS
•50,000 children will die of AIDS this year
•1,400 newborn Africans are infected with AIDS everyday
•There are 900,000 orphans in Nairobi, Kenya today, mainly due to AIDS
•More than 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1 a day
•Every 3 seconds a child dies of nutrition deprivation/starvation
•More than 300 million people in Africa do not have access to clean water
•1 million children die of malaria each year


Best wishes to your husband and blessings for the work he does and will be doing. Thanks for posting and taking a true action for what you and your family believe in.

[DisneyKevin]

I understand each and every point that you have made but the figures you have given lead me to another question.

Are we to fix all of the worlds sorrows before we educate children?

Who knows where the next world leader might be, the next Jonas Salk, the next Thomas Edison, the next doctor to cure a disease?

This cycle of poverty and disease is not new. This does not make it any less heart rending, but it's an old story.

Without education, this cycle will likely continue. Those unlucky enough to be locked in this cycle rarely see a way out. A glimpse of a different world may spark the right child to do great things.

I am not suggesting that laptops replace food, medicine or clean water...but education is a step to breaking a vicious cycle.

Kevin

[sconnell]

I understand each and every point that you have made but the figures you have given lead me to another question.

Are we to fix all of the worlds sorrows before we educate children?

Who knows where the next world leader might be, the next Jonas Salk, the next Thomas Edison, the next doctor to cure a disease?

This cycle of poverty and disease is not new. This does not make it any less heart rending, but it's an old story.

Without education, this cycle will likely continue. Those unlucky enough to be locked in this cycle rarely see a way out. A glimpse of a different world may spark the right child to do great things.

I am not suggesting that laptops replace food, medicine or clean water...but education is a step to breaking a vicious cycle.

Kevin

No, certainly not. I guess I didn't wrap up my point very well. lol. Guess I'm doing too many things at once. lol.
I'm sure that the OLPC is doing their homework before they give laptops out. I'm sure that they aren't going to hand a laptop to a child who really is at the point that $200 worth of water would be better for them.
I guess what I was trying to say is that, we in America see so much on TV and other places that we tend to think that all of Africa is dying children with flies swarming all over them. There are places where children aren’t knocking on death’s door and they certainly need more than bread and water. They need to be nourished mind, body, and soul. They need education and I personally think these laptops are great. No, they aren’t the answer to end all questions, but then again, neither is water.
The laptops are specifically designed for all types of weather conditions and will be great in bright sunlight or in a dim hut. They are built for extreme temps and are very durable. They will give the children a since of a world beyond what they are living in now.

[DisneyKevin]

I agree completely.

Thank you!

[Disneybridein2k3]

I understand each and every point that you have made but the figures you have given lead me to another question.

Are we to fix all of the worlds sorrows before we educate children?

Who knows where the next world leader might be, the next Jonas Salk, the next Thomas Edison, the next doctor to cure a disease?

This cycle of poverty and disease is not new. This does not make it any less heart rending, but it's an old story.

Without education, this cycle will likely continue. Those unlucky enough to be locked in this cycle rarely see a way out. A glimpse of a different world may spark the right child to do great things.

I am not suggesting that laptops replace food, medicine or clean water...but education is a step to breaking a vicious cycle.

Kevin
Kevin - this is exactly my point. But, as always, you said it much more eloquently than I did. Thank you.

[merryweather20]

I understand each and every point that you have made but the figures you have given lead me to another question.

Are we to fix all of the worlds sorrows before we educate children?

Who knows where the next world leader might be, the next Jonas Salk, the next Thomas Edison, the next doctor to cure a disease?

This cycle of poverty and disease is not new. This does not make it any less heart rending, but it's an old story.

Without education, this cycle will likely continue. Those unlucky enough to be locked in this cycle rarely see a way out. A glimpse of a different world may spark the right child to do great things.

I am not suggesting that laptops replace food, medicine or clean water...but education is a step to breaking a vicious cycle.

Kevin

That isn't the point of the other posts at all. Education is great, but it doesn't require a lap-top:confused3 . Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk didn't have laptops.
There are many ways to educate a child providing a laptop has some concerns that I and other posters have pointed out (security, power, information flow) its fine to discuss that.

[DisneyKevin]

I never suggested that it wasnt fine to discuss this topic.

I suggested that I was suprprised by the negativity the topic was receiving.

If you re-read the post that you quoted, it startes with " I understand each and every point that you have made but the figures you have given lead me to another question."

This was actually in response to sconnell's post and I think that after discussion we came to realize that we were saying very similar things.

You are correct, Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk did not have laptops but they were not competing in a world where many others did and they did have access to higher education, food, water and adequate shelter. Survival wasnt their primary concern. In addition, the world has changed since Tom and Jonas' day. They were merely examples and not the defining idea.

I also agree that lap tops are not required for education but I think that in todays world, it is certainly an enhancement.

Also, none of my posts addressed security, power, information flow...and I am not really sure why these are concerns anyway.

It's been discussed that these laptops have been outfitted with solar cells and a screen that is visible indoors or out. As solar cells store energry, you do not need to be in direct sunlight to use the power. And I'm not really sure what is meant by information flow. This seems like a good thing to me.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with providing a child with something to spark his/her imagination and if this is the tool to do that...I'm all for it.

[WebmasterPete]

For those who are interested, here is a link to some clips from the 60 Minutes segment on this.

http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/69/one_laptop_per_child

Pete

[nikjd68]

I don't normally jump in on conversations like this, but for some reason I felt like I need to on this one. I understand the mission of the OLPC. I think that they have a great idea and in some areas, this is just what they need. BUT, I think that there are many places that are in such dire shape, that this would be like putting a band aid over a gushing wound.
I think that we in America, tend to think about third world countries as places who are the gushing wounds. Places where every 3-6 seconds people are dying because they don't have clean water. There is a place in Kenya where 1 million people live in 1 square mile. In this place, a laptop isn’t a bad thing, but clean water… that’s the difference in life and death.
There’s nothing wrong with the laptops, but I can’t help but think there are other things that should come first. This summer, my husband will be traveling to Karagoto, Kenya to help build wells and other things like that.

I can appreciate that conditions in, using your example, in Kenya, are dire. But it is also true, as is pointed out in Sports Illustrated that,

"In Kenya there are probably a million schoolboys 10 to 17 years old who run 10 to 12 miles a day. . . The average Kenyan 18-year-old has run 15,000 to 18,000 more miles in his life than the average American--and a lot of that's at altitude. They're motivated because running is a way out. Plus they don't have a lot of other sports for kids to be drawn into. Numbers are what this is all about. In Kenya there are maybe 100 runners who have hit 2:11 in the marathon--and in the U.S. maybe five. . .With those figures, coaches in Kenya can train their athletes to the outer limits of endurance--up to 150 miles a week--without worrying that their pool of talent will be meaningfully depleted. Even if four out of every five runners break down, the fifth will convert that training into performance..."

My point is that the people in Kenya are not spending 100% of their time thinking about drinking water and although the conditions there are bad, they are still human beings striving to make themselves better. They may need help digging a well, but that doesn't mean they should be denied everything else.

[nikjd68]

I don't normally jump in on conversations like this, but for some reason I felt like I need to on this one. I understand the mission of the OLPC. I think that they have a great idea and in some areas, this is just what they need. BUT, I think that there are many places that are in such dire shape, that this would be like putting a band aid over a gushing wound.
I think that we in America, tend to think about third world countries as places who are the gushing wounds. Places where every 3-6 seconds people are dying because they don't have clean water. There is a place in Kenya where 1 million people live in 1 square mile. In this place, a laptop isn’t a bad thing, but clean water… that’s the difference in life and death.
There’s nothing wrong with the laptops, but I can’t help but think there are other things that should come first. This summer, my husband will be traveling to Karagoto, Kenya to help build wells and other things like that.

I can appreciate that conditions in, using your example, in Kenya, are dire. But it is also true, as is pointed out in Sports Illustrated that,

"In Kenya there are probably a million schoolboys 10 to 17 years old who run 10 to 12 miles a day. . . The average Kenyan 18-year-old has run 15,000 to 18,000 more miles in his life than the average American--and a lot of that's at altitude. They're motivated because running is a way out. Plus they don't have a lot of other sports for kids to be drawn into. Numbers are what this is all about. In Kenya there are maybe 100 runners who have hit 2:11 in the marathon--and in the U.S. maybe five. . .With those figures, coaches in Kenya can train their athletes to the outer limits of endurance--up to 150 miles a week--without worrying that their pool of talent will be meaningfully depleted. Even if four out of every five runners break down, the fifth will convert that training into performance..."

My point is that the people in Kenya are not spending 100% of their time thinking about drinking water and although the conditions there are bad, they are still human beings striving to make themselves better. They may need help digging a well, but that doesn't mean they should be denied everything else.

[sconnell]

I can appreciate that conditions in, using your example, in Kenya, are dire. But it is also true, as is pointed out in Sports Illustrated that,

"In Kenya there are probably a million schoolboys 10 to 17 years old who run 10 to 12 miles a day. . . The average Kenyan 18-year-old has run 15,000 to 18,000 more miles in his life than the average American--and a lot of that's at altitude. They're motivated because running is a way out. Plus they don't have a lot of other sports for kids to be drawn into. Numbers are what this is all about. In Kenya there are maybe 100 runners who have hit 2:11 in the marathon--and in the U.S. maybe five. . .With those figures, coaches in Kenya can train their athletes to the outer limits of endurance--up to 150 miles a week--without worrying that their pool of talent will be meaningfully depleted. Even if four out of every five runners break down, the fifth will convert that training into performance..."

My point is that the people in Kenya are not spending 100% of their time thinking about drinking water and although the conditions there are bad, they are still human beings striving to make themselves better. They may need help digging a well, but that doesn't mean they should be denied everything else.

Yep, I agree. That's why I wrote the second post. And that's why I don't normally jump in on these conversations, because comments innocently get taken out of context.
Kenya for example is a country with Nairobi, a pretty urban place, to Karagoto, not urban by any discription.
I really hope this doesn't sound ugly, that wasn't my intent.

[luvthemouse71]

The OLPC(one laptop per child) Project essentially takes the approach of "Teach a man to fish..." As I understand it, the wireless would be available via the schools. And the laptop can run both on electric/battery as well as by hand(a crank or foot pedal).Agreed.
I saw a segment on 60 Minutes about this project. They don't just throw the laptops at the kids and leave them to figure it out. Many of these kids are attending schools of some sort - these laptops are meant to supplement their education. I don't see any big controversy either. The kids I saw on this program seemed to love it. They've had kids who didn't really show an interest in school before start attending regularly because of the computers. That's a good thing, IMO.

[Minnie's Mate]

Besides that statement was only made to the poster that scoffed at providing goats and ducks, world vision has many opportuities to look out for anyone, be it schools, or school supplies for children, bikes for the safety of teen-age girls, opportunities for families.

First, my comment was for the individual to decide for themselves which makes more sense to them not to deride World Vision. I'm very supportive of their variety of "gifts" you can give through World Vision. However, my open-mindedness toward other charities seems to be something that you lack. For you it seems it's World Vision or nothing.

Second, for those who feel that charity should begin at home, why not purchase the two computers and give the one you are to receive to a local charity? There are many people in the U.S. that prefer Linux to MAC or Windows and this would give them the option.

[merryweather20]

First, my comment was for the individual to decide for themselves which makes more sense to them not to deride World Vision. I'm very supportive of their variety of "gifts" you can give through World Vision. However, my open-mindedness toward other charities seems to be something that you lack. For you it seems it's World Vision or nothing.

Second, for those who feel that charity should begin at home, why not purchase the two computers and give the one you are to receive to a local charity? There are many people in the U.S. that prefer Linux to MAC or Windows and this would give them the option.

I'm not sure where you got the idea it was World Vision or nothing :confused3It was a quick example nothing more. My quick link was not meant to be an exhaustive list of the charities of which I approve of.

Your post deriding "a goat and five ducks" made me think you just assumed world vision did nothing but provide farm supplies, and also that the farm supplies could not be very valueable. Which is simply not the case.

[Minnie's Mate]

This is just MHO, but I think OLPC is a good idea and one that should be viewed with an open mind and I think a lot of the post on this thread are very negative toward it.

There are many charities that provide excellent opportunities for the individual to give beneficially to those in need in a way that fits their belief system. OLPC is a new opportunity for those that feel that in many of these locations around the world the agrarian economies don't work and just perpetuate subsistence living and don't give these people the tools necessary to move into the technologies that "makes the world go round" these days. Let's face it, the world of today and tomorrow runs on computers and that isn't going to change. OLPC is an attempt to give these children access to technology that they would otherwise not have. I, and I'm sure no one else that is supportive of OLPC, would not suggest that everyone drop their support of the wonderful work that other charities like World Vision is doing in favor of OLPC. But, I think we shouldn't proclaim OLPC a non-valid idea and concept because there are hurdles to over come. Some of those hurdles are expected to be met by the governments of these countries and other sponsors before computers are distributed to an area.

My understanding is that these computers would be distributed to communities that have schools with electricity to plug the computers into during class time. The government or some other sponsor would have already installed the wi-fi system in the school and community before that community is selected to receive the computers. My understanding is that OLPC isn't going to take a bunch of computers to the deepest, darkest depths of the Amazon rain forest and give them to a bunch of indigenous people and say, "here, we brought you computers now have at it." As I understand it, the infrastructure, including training for the teachers in the schools, will be part of the distribution process for these computers. Apparently, Intel and Microsoft see this as a good enough concept that they are now introducing competing products for third world governments to purchase on behalf of the children of their countries.

[Forevryoung]

Ok, I have first hand experience with the project so I'll chime in. The project is AMAZING. It is a Non-profit organization that is changing the world. Seriously.

The "problem": Third world countries can not provide the technology to today's children to keep them in the competitive job market. They CAN and ARE spending money to educate their children (There are several countries who have already signed on and ordered laptops as well as other countries that are creating their own version including China).

The individuals at MIT (where OLPC originated) realized that if they started from scratch, they could SELL these computers at cost to 3rd world countries. Their original goal was to stay under $100 a piece. Unfortunately, the US dollar tanked and the price of nickel apparently increased dramatically. So staying under that original cost was not possible.

Developers were forced to think out of the box. These computers have internet access but it is based on a system where one computer accesses another computer which is able to be linked to the internet. So kids who are sitting under a tree can "google" information or send email.

Additionally, a colleague is very interested in using these laptops to provide a means of access to communication for children with disabilities. There is great potential that a touch screen with new communication software can provide "a voice" for individuals around the world. Right now, a communication device (high-tech) costs approximately $7.000. (my field of specialty and why OLPC means a lot to me)

I'm sorry that this got long... I have much information on the project (PM me if you would like more/ask questions). It is providing an opportunity to children that will enable them to go to universities in their respective countries, make contacts around the world, and make the universe a little smaller. A laptop IS providing the education they deserve. You can't have a country of all uneducated people (or significantly disadvantaged compared to other countries)