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One Laptop Per Child, an ambitious project to bring computing to the developing world's children, is reaching out to the public through an interesting marketing campaign.
The New York Times
The story "Buy a laptop for a child, get another laptop free" published September 23, 2007 at 8:45 AM is no longer available on CNET News.
Content from The New York Times expires after 7 days.
If this is all about the children, he should manufacture the laptops and give them away free or get billions of dollars from US or UN to pay for them.
This plan should be examined thoroughly to make sure it is not another ruse to exploit children from developing countries similar to present scams running endlessly on late night TV with names like "Save the Children in Africa", "Adopt a starving child" and a long list of shady charitable services exploiting children from developing worlds.
I very much doubt it would work because many developing countries that he is hoping would buy the laptops are ruled be extremely corrupt leaders who embezzle 90% of the countries' incomes and economic resources.
Negropont's has given these countries a good educational tool for their children at a very nice price. He should gain some profit. But honestly at that price, How much profit do you think there is? Honestly...
Also, Do your research before you start knocking all of these "late night" scams.
Some of them are legitimate....Not everything you see on latenight tv is a scam....
There are many legitimate not for profit orgs out there that do a world of good for children in many 3rd world coutries...ie: Compassion International...for one.
It is comments like yours that will hurt their bottom line and in turn affect the core purpose of their existence...the children.....
One less child fed thanks to you secret.....
And one last rant....You never know until you try....Try the glass is half full instead of half empty once in a while.....
I hope you are not is sales....
Most teachers in most developing nations, particularly in Africa, like mine do not know how to use a computer. Parents are equally not even aware what a computer is. There is a possibility that a well intentioned idea can end up being reduced to a mere play play box purely due to a lack of understanding. These laptops could even end up in the hands of the elite and business can easily be made out of them especially if government officials are involved without a clear mechanism to ensure transparency. However, if well managed and implemented such a great opportunity to enlighten children around the world will yield results that potentialy would enhance both the education and economic well being of most countries- in the long run. I suggest the following methods
1. The laptop for a child idea be implemented within a community school framework.
2. Use the already exisiting transparent NGOs already on the ground and working with children in rural areas.
3. Laptops can be marked the child's name and be used during class time only until a ime when the child is comfortable o use the equipment. This will ensure initial maintanance and proper care.
4. Comunities can chose a teacher but the teacher must be made accountable to a committee.