Our world and theirs

As I sit here with my lap top, I consider myself pretty lucky. I have my own laptop with wireless internet connection at home and at school. Then I see a commercial on the tv and see commercials about fostering a child in Africa. This reminded me about the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) campaign that I learned about in ISTb01, which got me thinking about whether or not it really helps.

The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to a computer and internet and those that do not. This mainly occurs in the developing countries where they don’t have the resources to have these benefits. The kids that the OLPC are giving the laptops to would be part of that world. Regarding the question of whether or not we should be worried about this divide, I feel that we should be.

The developing countries are already falling behind in regards to many variables. They do not have sufficient financial funds for them to sustain themselves without financial aid, there is not enough adequate health care, they lack proper space for education, and there certainly isn’t any form of advance technology lying around. If they continue to fall behind, they will always have to rely on developed countries for help, therefore falling into further debt with them. Which will make it even harder for them to stand back up on their own. With the case of the OLPC, this type of help will benefit the children and hopefully help them in the future. Also, they will not have to be paid back, so there is no debt involved =)

We should support any means of helping those that do not have access to computer or internet so that we can minimize the gap! This way we be connected to everyone! =)