Spreading the laptop love Program one way to teach kids empathy
Friday, March 28, 2008 Through the help of the One Laptop Per
Child Program, it’s not hard to pass on the gift of learning to
children in developing countries. Donations to the program help
buy and deliver laptops to students in third world nations who
often have trouble affording even the most basic school
supplies. Since its foundation in 2005 by former MIT Media Lab
Director Nicholas Negroponte, the One Laptop Per Child Program
has delivered thousands of computers to children in 14
countries. In 2008, the program plans to spread to other nations
including Rwanda, Afghanistan and Haiti. The XO laptops, which
cost $200 with delivery, are ideal for small hands and harsh
conditions because they’re light, durable and compact. Area
isolation isn’t a problem since each laptop is a wireless router
that can connect to the Internet and other computers. And no
electricity is needed because the machine can be recharged by a
crank since it runs on less tha