An interesting movement is afoot. If you're at all concerned for the well-being of the rest of the planet, there are many options - besides the Sally Struthers beg-ads - at your disposal. After a good deal of deliberation, we decided to support the OLPC Foundation this year. It seemed odd at first - the thought of sending laptops to places where children are malnourished, orphaned, or worse. My friends at AdventuresForTheCure are doing some great work, for instance, ensuring that kids in Kenya have a safe learning environment. OLPC is trying to use technology to "...provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves". It made me wonder if sending rice and grain is really enough.
After some consideration, we decided to support OLPC as part of family Christmas gift to Western Africa this year. The kids (along with mom and I) did without a tree full of presents and put the money towards a couple organizations that are doing good work in Tanzania and elsewhere. I figure education is critical for the long term well being of these places, and having tinkered with an OLPC XO unit for a week now, I think its a great learning tool. Books are expensive, heavy, and quickly outdated. If nothing else, the XO makes a darn handy e-book, and the collaboration tools it supports would make for a fun and education classroom environment.
I'm hosting a luncheon at work to garner interest in support for the OLPC effort, and our church is considering helping out as well. At some point, I plan to send my unit to some distant land in hopes that it will find a budding author or engineer who can put it to good use. It's a neat thought.
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