Submitted by Tobias Eigen on 29 December, 2008 - 19:45
I have been a vocal critic of the One Laptop Per Child program over the years, and still am - but am beginning to see that things are turning around for the project and that they are starting to do many things right. I see the "give one get one year two" scheme has ended as of December 26th and it's no longer possible to get the laptops - several of my own neighbors participated and the process was quite smooth. Hopefully this will be extended so the laptops contine to be available worldwide to those who need them, or that it is repeated again next fall. I don't know personally how the laptops are being introduced through projects in Africa and would be glad to hear about it through the Kabissa community. In the meantime, below is a link to a useful Negroponte talk on TED about OLPC in Colombia:
In a special report from the field, TED follows Nicholas Negroponte to Colombia as he delivers laptops to schoolkids in territory once controlled by guerrillas. His partner? Colombia's Defense Department, who see One Laptop per Child as an investment in regional stability. (Want to help out? OLPC's Give One Get One program runs through Dec. 26.) Watch this talk >>
Comments
The one child per laptop is not working effectively. I personally have a strong urguement on that but just that I can not make my voice heard. The wrong people are handling this brilliant project at the wrong time.
This programs effectivenes is beyong governmental level. In Ghana, we heard of this in the middle of last year when the ministry of education with the president happily announced it with happiness. Children were all expecting this laptop to get to them and we have personally done some enquiries have heard children saying that; I will love to always sit by my laptop to learn. It will keep me groomed to education and etc...
We saw about 100,000 pieces of less in the country as at last year but up till now, no one have had even one of it yet. The question is; WHO IS HANDLING IT and WHERE IS IT.
I have not heard from any of our west african correspondence that its being distributed perfectly yet.
NGO's are always left out of such projects in Ghana and in more african countries that I know. I still stand by the fact that, this laptop to one child program wont work effectively unless NGO's are related to it.
The above is my sincere concern towards this one child to one laptop program.
Yours In Christ,
SELASI KOFFI ACKOM
President / Founder Rescue Aid Foundation
CELL: +233 24 341 6836
President@rescuesouls.org www.rescuesouls.org
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