People seemed interested in the One Laptop Per Child initiative that I blogged about a few weeks ago, so I thought I’d pass along word that the Buy One Give One program is now officially launched. For the next 14 days, you can spend $400 to get one XO Laptop for yourself and donate one to a child in a developing country.
Brief reminder: One Laptop Per Child is an organization that has developed a cheap and rugged laptop specifically for children in developing countries. It’s very cool technology and a very bold experiment in social entrepreneurship. Here’s hoping it’s successful.
Well, I hope no kids actually try to carry them on their heads. This picture is just one of those stereotypes that is only effective because it affirms our foolishly inaccurate views about the world. But that’s marketing I guess, how else do you make a child with a laptop immediately identifiable to ignorant Americans as being from not-America??? …ok, that’s pretty harsh, I hope you could see me smile when I said it.
Orion-
While I can’t claim specific knowledge of this, I do believe large numbers of people in the world carry their goods on their heads, and get quite good at it. Even if it does get dropped, the XO is quite capable of easily withstanding a fall from a child’s head onto the ground, so I don’t see the problem with this photo.
If you don’t need the laptop for your self, you can make an impact on a child in an American city at the same time.
School on Wheels is an organization that helps match homeless children with willing adults willing to help with school work and other life lessons. These kids move in and out of shelters, many live on skid row here in Los Angeles. These caring adults make a huge difference in these kids lives.
My husband heard about this organization on NPR a couple of years ago, since then we have been supporters of the program. They do amazing work.
If you don’t need the second laptop for yourself, you can choose to have it given to one of these homeless kids instead, thus impacting the lives of 2 worthy, but disadvantaged children. We have bought 8 already and are hoping to buy more in time for the holidays.
If you want to check Schools on Wheels, their program and this opportunity out,
http://www.schoolonwheels.org or http://www.xogiving.org
or call Catherine Meek
President of the Board & COO
School on Wheels, Inc. (805) 649-1945
I hope you will get the same feeling of satisfaction that we did knowing that helping give kids access to information will help empower them to fill their minds with knowledge, the only thing that can never be taken from them.
First, Orion, having traveled a bit around the globe, there are, in fact, children who carry things on their heads. (The picture is directly from the OLPC site.) I’m not sure who it is you think you’re addressing as “foolish” and “ignorant” but I will try not to be as offended as I could be as a typical, albeit well-traveled, American.
Second, I can’t wait to get the second laptop to share with my 5 year old son. The conversation alone is as crucial as the technology and the fun he’ll have learning about other cultures and their challenges/needs. I hope and trust he’ll grow up with a global consciousness and desire to reach out to people all around the world — and decrease the “ignorant American” stereotype, as an added bonus, like his daddy and many many others.
Anon #3:
You could also help two needy children by donating both computers. There’s a page on the OLPC website for those who don’t need or want an XO computer for themselves, and just want to give. It also works for those who can’t swing the whole $400 by themselves.
– A.
Schools on Wheels is a great program. If you’re interested in helping college-age folks, you might consider donating to this organization (also in Los Angeles). They give free university-level classes to those who might not otherwise get the opportunity to go to college. Many cannot afford a computer.
The Bridge Program (at Antioch University)
http://www.thebridgeprogram.org
400 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230
Kathryn Pope
(310) 947-3796; (310) 578-1080, ext.300
Hello all,
have you not thought about the effect the laptops have on the health of these children? Laptops contribute to prostate cancer, among other things. I hope the gentleman who is going to share it with his 5 year old does not put it on the child’s lap.
Here’s to your health.
Once again: laptops do not cause prostate cancer.
This sounds like the Buy1GIVE1Free program running out of Singapore – they work with any product all over the world – they launched a few months ago and seem to be doing amazing things. They are also known as B1G1. Their address is B1G1.com
Is it possible to still buy this laptop?
Thanks
Malcolm
July 7, 2008
I am working in a company which makes website for health, fitness, mini roulette, IT, shopping etc and I was in a great need of buying a laptop. So I finally bought a Dell Latitude D530, laptop last week.
Most of the people adviced me that it would not be a good deal to buy a laptop, instead they advised me to buy a desktop. I don’t know why people have so much misconception regarding buying a laptop.