Laptops for children in Abilene and around the world
Connecting Caring Communities recently purchased 20 laptop computers for use by children in Abilene and in developing countries around the world.
New computers...for us?” The words of an eager child at the Friendship House exclaimed. Yes, these new stylish and modern marvels were for these wonderful children and they caught the eye of every child. A few sat down for the chance to use one of the five XO laptops bought for each Friendship House.
Their small fingers traveled along the different textures, memorizing every key, button and device. Grateful grins spread across their faces. Each new program needed experimentation. Volunteers watched and helped them navigate new treasures. LaShay and DeSandra made movies together—movies that would lead to fantastic memories.
Through the “Give One, Get One” program of One Laptop Per Child Foundation (OLPC), CCC purchased the cutting-edge XO laptops to use in the weekly Kids Club activities in the Friendship Houses. The laptops are designed for educational use by children and for durability of being used by children – at the Friendship House or in the African desert. For each of the ten laptops that recently arrived at the Friendship Houses in early February, a laptop was sent through OLPC to developing countries like Somalia or Haiti.
The XO laptop is designed for children to be “learning learning.” The child-designed laptops have many unique qualities. Chief among these ideals is the intentional way the laptop is set-up for children to explore the world, learn about themselves, work on problem-solving and be creative. The laptops are child-sized, but utilize proven methods of teaching while also fulfilling the needs to do online research or write a paper for school.
One Laptop Per Child was founded by Nicholas Negroponte with a core of Media Lab veterans with the goal to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves. Learn more about OLPC and the XO laptop at www.laptop.org.