Every child in a primary school in Uruguay now has a laptop due to the country’s participation in the One Laptop Per Child program. “Plan Ceibal” (Education Connect) has introduced the world of computers and internet for the first time to many families across Uruguay and the initiative only cost the country less than 5% of its entire education budget! Amazing.
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit organization set up by internet pioneer Nicholas Negroponte. Their mission statement found on the official website states:
To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future.
One can participate by donating laptops at Amazon, host fundraisers, help at OLPC pilots or simply by spreading the word about the project to friends and family.
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