One Laptop Per Child Giveaway
Have you seen the latest contest at kirtsy? It's probably the most Thanksgiving appropriate contest ever. Kirtsy has teamed up with One Laptop Per Child to give away Four XO Laptops! That's right. You could win one of four laptops. Honest and true.
How? Easy: Spread the word about One Laptop Per Child by sharing their link (http://laptop.org). Email it. Tweet it. Blog it. Put it on Facebook. Call a friend. Do whatever it is you do.
Then tell kirtsy what you did by leaving a comment on the kirtsy blog or on the kirtsy entry, like: "I twittered about OLPC." And you're officially entered to win.
Winning a laptop is a fantastic thing. But OLPC's programs are even more fantastic — their whole mission and purpose is to get a laptop into the hands of every child in emerging countries across the globe. Every. Single. Child. OLPC understands how a computer can give advantages and offer opportunities in a life-changing way.
See, the little laptops they make are amazing. Super sturdy. Designed for children's hands. Easy to care for and maintain. Self-networking. And they send them for free to children around the globe. These laptops can't even be bought for personal use — they are strictly for giving away.
With one exception. Over the holidays, OLPC is holding a Give One, Get One (G1G1) promotion. You buy a laptop for yourself or for someone you love, and OLPC will donate another laptop to a child in need. In fact, this G1G1 campaign is the only way to actually buy one of their laptops. Period.
I'm a big fan. If you were reading Design Mom a year ago, you may remember my post on OLPC. We participated in the program last December — and our kids love our XO. Your kids would love one as well! Bonus: I'll bet it's the best price you'll find on a laptop anywhere.
If you are able to get involved with the Give One Get One program this year, you won't regret it. If donating a laptop isn't an option, then I hope you'll get involved by trying to win one from kirtsy!
Share the OLPC link. Tell kirtsy about it. Then you're entered to win. Done and done.
At the beginning of this post, I mentioned this contest is particularly Thanksgiving appropriate. This is what I mean: I am thankful every single day for the opportunities and friendships that have come into my life through a computer and the internet. And I'm thankful for companies like One Laptop Per Child that understand the power that computer ownership can bring to a child's life.
Labels: kirtsy
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Tuesday, November 25, 2008
8 Comments:
It is so nice to see these laptops. My dd is in an afterschool program at school to assist her with Math. These are the laptops that she is using, and she gets to bring it home overnight during the 7 week program. The "Math Club" is hoping to keep these laptops that were provided by University of Wisconsin. Thanks for sharing this message.
I don't know.... there is something unsettling about that picture of children in the beautiful outdoors hovering over laptops.
In theory it is a good idea but honestly how is a laptop going to change a child's life. I can see how access to a laptop would be helpful but there may be more pressing needs. No screen can replace hands on individual and personal attention.
I don't think I would like a laptop for any of my children -they would miss out on so many other beautiful and real things that surround them.
I agree with Mommymita. I think technology is a very powerful tool for children that definitely needs parental guidance . There is no way I would just let my kids loose with their own laptops--we closely monitor everything they do on the computer. I worry about these kids' exposure to and possible exploitation by the pornography industry. I especially worry about this because I'm quite sure their parents will have little or no knowledge of computers and the real dangers they can pose.
Mommymita, Janika, you guys are downers.
It's not like these kids are on a hike and brought their laptops with them. This is where they live.
How can a laptop change a child's life? These laptops are self networking, meaning deep in areas of the world(that you clearly have never been to) with no internet access, these laptops can connect with each other to create a small network, a mini internet. Collaborating with peers allows for amazing things to happen.
It is ironic that you are posting this on the internet. Are you missing out on the beautiful and real things around you?
You both have multiple blogs for pete's sake.
This is an amazing and great project. Stop being such a downer.
Plus,Mommyita, those laptops are GREEN-they blend right in! :) Just kidding, I'm afraid that I'm with Salem. My husband is from a third world country and when people in economically disadvantaged areas become conversant and connected with the rest of the world they have a better chance of making their voices heard and becoming real contributors to those around them and on the world stage as well. It's a real win-win for everybody. (Of course, I do agree that their parents need to be taught about monitoring their children's use and of the dangers etc.)
Mommymita, Janika - Thanks for your comments — I always love a good discussion. But I think there's another way to see this.
From what I understand, children are using the laptops in the outdoors because many of them don't have access to a classroom — or a house — big enough to spend their time in.
It's true that in America we like to monitor our children's computer use closely and carefully — I certainly do so with my own children and our laptop. But I think that's kind of a first world problem.
For the children in emerging countries that receive these laptops, I think that's much less of a fear.
This computer can give them a glimpse of the world, can function as a classroom and textbook, can help them become part of a local and global community.
This isn't taking them away from experiential learning — taking them away from the beautiful scenery and forcing them to look at a screen. It's providing, for the first time, tools and opportunities they didn't have before.
These computers are intended for children with little or no access to education. Little or no access. Period.
It's true there may be other pressing needs. Certainly food, clothing, shelter and loving care come first. But in my opinion, education follows closely afterward. Education is widely considered the number one route to social and economic progress.
Yes, I am using a laptop as I write this and enjoy social networking
Yes, I have been to thrid world countries and have visited and served children in poverty
Yes, I do believe educational opportunities are good -But it is just my hope that these laptops are used for their intended purposes
Thanks for posting ideas that help us reach outside ourselves!
I just purchased a Give One Get One and I am excited.
Thank you, Design Mom, for sharing. I can't wait to share with my family the program itself and then share that we participated! I have an 11 year old daughter and I know she will be very sentimental while using her laptop {under my supervision}...she will be thinking of who received the other one with a tender smile on her face. Every time we see that green laptop it will be a reminder of a time our family shared with another child.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Post a Comment
<< Home