One Laptop Per Child - will South Africa get involved?
A while ago while researching e-learning and related subjects I came across the One Laptop Per Child project. It’s a brave initiative which, though it inspired me I struggled to conceptualize the realization of the goal. Their stated goal is:
“It’s an education project, not a laptop project.”— Nicholas Negroponte
Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.
I’m still a bit skeptical on how to achieve such a high goal with so many efforts being made to inject positive influence into society being brushed aside or merely given lip service by governments and other key figures. Because this project aligns very well with my vision for The One Project I’ve started thinking how we could get a few prominent local players involved in getting OLPC going in SA. Thinking positively and proactively is the only way to get anywhere when it comes to endeavours of this nature and though the odds are stacked heavily against it any Noble endeavour is worth some effort.
It was a recent post(Most Governments won’t buy OLPC - will you?) I came across which got me thinking about this seriously. If governments who had promised participation and support for this project are not keeping their promises, as governments usually do, what can we do as ordinary citizens to make a difference and get this project out in the open.
The OLPC organisation has provided us with an option which seems a little more attractive to those willing or able to part with a few bucks. Get one give one is what they’re calling it and it allows you to buy 2 of these laptops, one for your child and one for another child who is much more in need of it at the cost of $399.
If we look at what some parents spend on playstations, mobile phones, iPods & the like for their kids then the price tag should be nothing to blink at at least that’s if you are by the means.
It seems there has been a little activity surrounding the OLPC project in South Africa and Nigeria in this interview with RUSSELL SOUTHWOOD of Balancingact-Africa. How do you think we can get this project on the go in South Africa and start empowering our children towards a brighter futures?
The OLPC project is something I believe could be an immensely positive force for underprivileged children.
To get the project on the go, an idea I’ve been mulling is some kind of campaign to get Computer Professionals to donate some of their time to assist in teaching kids involved in OLPC projects.
Sounds Like Great Idea lordfoom, I suppose the starting point would be to locate a place where we can find a few of these machines we can access or get a group of people together to start brainstorming ways of getting sponsorship for some machines.
Where do we start?
I agree, that the OLPC project is something that is a great project. Call me a “spoil sport”, but I believe that providing a adequte shelter for the thousands of homeless might.. just be bit more pressing. Then once we get that little hurdle out of the way.. we can perhaps get a pc for every child.. maybe fridge would be next.. then pc