KIC Gives Back: One Laptop Per Child

The KIC Gives Back series will typically highlight organizations in the Ottawa area, but this came to my attention this week and I thought it was a good exception to the rule, especially consider all of our techie posts of late. Have you heard of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)? If not, here's a little information from their Web site for you:

OLPC's mission is to empower the world's poorest children through education.

We aim to provide each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop. To this end, we have designed hardware, content and software for collaborative, joyful, and self-empowered learning. With access to this type of tool, children are engaged in their own education, and learn, share, and create together. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future.

I think this is a wonderful initiative. It's been going on for several years - I think I first heard about it around five years ago - back when they were still doing the give one, get one program (it's now ended and is donations only). The latest news out of OLPC last week was the introduction of a tablet and I was so excited about that. Knowing how well my own son uses a tablet and how much he's learned from it, I am thrilled that OLPC is working to supply them to kids all over the world.

If you're interested in contributing to the OLPC cause, there are numerous ways to do so. From monetary donations, to time and expertise, to spreading the word.

*****

Next month's KIC Gives Back is going to be in conjunction with Kindness Week. We'll be highlighting a local program that is doing some great work! Check back in a few weeks to read all about it and learn how you can help.