The laptop for the developing world
Jeanne:
September 22nd, 2007
In a scheme designed to increase the availability of computers for children in developing countries, a company known as One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has set about producing low-cost laptops. The scheme operates as follows. In order to participate, residents in the developed countries such as the United States must purchase two laptops at a total cost of $398 (about ₤198). They then receive one of the laptops for personal use, whilst the second is shipped off, free, for use by disadvantaged children in the third world. The ‘Give One, Get One’ (G1G1) scheme will run for just two weeks starting on November 12 2007. Governments of developing countries can also purchase the low-cost laptops for use by their citizens. Walter Bender, OLPC’s head of software development, has indicated that initial responses to the initiative appear to be very positive:
“From day one there’s been a lot of interest expressed in having some way of people in the developed world participate in the programme.”
The bright green and white laptops are specially designed for use in areas where electricity supplies may be limited. For example, they can be powered by solar energy or foot-pump. The laptops are waterproof and highly durable as well. Crucially, however, they can be produced at a very low cost. They currently cost $188 apiece, but developers hope that they will eventually be able to sell the laptops for as little as $100.
It’s therefore hardly surprising that consumers in the developed world are expressing significant interest in the laptops. However, the organisation does not wish to lose sight of its primary aim – the provision of one laptop per child in the developing world. According to Walter Bender:
“Our motivation is helping kids learn and giving them an opportunity to participate in the laptop programme so whatever will advance that cause we will do. This is something we are going to try and if it looks like it is an effective tool we will do more of it.”
Children in Haiti, Cambodia and Afghanistan are expected to receive the first consignments of OLPC laptops. Other countries classified as LDCs by the UN are also eligible to take part in the programme.
If you’d like to participate in the “Get One, Give One” scheme, then you can obtain more information from One Laptop Per Child.