One Laptop per Child: Give One. Get One.
November 13, 2007 by Lillie
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is a nonprofit organization with the vision 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.
The means for learning, self-expression, and exploration for children in the developing world is a $200 laptop computer.
Most of the nearly two–billion children in the developing world are inadequately educated, or receive no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade. …
OLPC is not, at heart, a technology program, nor is the XO a product in any conventional sense of the word. OLPC is a non-profit organization providing a means to an end—an end that sees children in even the most remote regions of the globe being given the opportunity to tap into their own potential, to be exposed to a whole world of ideas, and to contribute to a more productive and saner world community.
Between November 12 and November 26, you can (if you live in the US or Canada) give one and get one. For $399 ($200 of which is tax deductible as a charitable contribution), you will donate a laptop to a child in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti or Rwanda and receive a laptop to give to a child in your life. Donors in the US also receive one year of free Hot Spot access from TMobile for the laptop.
Other than this special offer, these laptops will not be available to the general public. The XO laptop is specially designed for children – a keyboard that fits small hands, durable construction to stand up to extreme conditions and rough handling, and special programs for childhood learning. Capabilities include still and video photography, game playing, voice recording, e-book reading, and Web browsing. The laptops are also equipped with wireless networking and the ability to detect and connect to neighboring XOs.
A $200 specially-designed laptop can help a child learn and improve her life. As these children grow into adults, they will be better equipped to help developing countries develop.
[tags]One Laptop per Child, OLPC[/tags]
What an interesting promotional idea. I knew about the $200 laptops, but this is the first time I heard of it as a bundled project — buy one for yourself and give one to a child who couldn’t possibly afford one for himself.
I hope that tens of thousands of laptops are distributed in this way.
this is such an awesome project i hope it is a big success as well. the cool thing is the laptops arent even bad, for $400 you can help a child and get a laptop so grandma can check her email. that is what im thinking of doing.
Ed,
While the laptops are specifically designed for children’s learning, they would probably be good for someone who doesn’t need spreadsheets, sophisticated word processing, etc.
Yeah thats what im saying, they have internet right? thats all she needs.
Wow, this sounds like a great charity. Giving these children a laptop would expose them to all sorts of learning opportunities. I’m not too sure how interested I would be in getting on myself, but giving one sounds nice.
Hi Lillie
I’ve been going to post about this as my interest was peaked when i saw a documentary, so great to see you are highlighting this wonderful initiative too.
I’ll be sure to link to your post as well when I blog about this at Small Biz Mentor.
Thanks, Yvonne. I’ll watch for your post.
Great initiative. I hope a lot of people with decide on buying a laptop through this program
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The promotion for people to buy a laptop for themselves and give one to needy child didn’t last long. Unfortunately, I believe they were disappointed in the response.
Its nice to hear, but most of the people are still unaware of that. What you in fact we all need to do is that first promote it. People will definitely look forward to buy laptop with this program.
Ashok,
The buy one-give one promotion ended long ago, but people can still donate laptops for children in undeveloped countries.
once this is apply to every school..we are promoting technology to youth;)
scarlet,
I’m afraid the last I heard this program hadn’t lived up to hopes.
As technology grows more and more each day, anyone who does not have access to a computer will truly be left behind. Explains why the Internet has become more of a basic right, a necessity. This is a very good cause.
Jane,
Just looking at my blog stats, I see how many of my visitors are from developing countries. Making technology available to people in those areas is critical to helping them develop.
I hope this is a big success, too, Matt. Those little laptops look like something really great for kids.
You can even get free wireless Internet access for a year, I believe, with the laptop. Quite a bargain!
perros,
Give one – get one is just a short-term promotion to get the project started and encourage donations by people who might have a child they would like to have a laptop. After the promotion, the laptops will be available only for donation.