Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August 2009, pages 57-58
Waging Peace
Palestinian Children Receive Laptops
 |
|
|
|
ON MAY 28, 2009, Palestinian third graders in 13 West Bank schools began receiving 1,007 laptop computers, according to American Charities for Palestine (ACP), a charitable organization founded in 2007 by the American Task Force on Palestine. This project involved careful coordination among ACP, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Palestinian Ministry of Education. The ministry also organized training workshops in four districts (S. Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah and Bethlehem) and prepared to launch more workshops in Hebron and Qabatia.
The XO computer, created by the U.S. non-profit OLPC, is a potent learning tool designed and built especially for children in developing countries living in some of the most remote environments. The size of a small textbook, the XO has built-in wireless and a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who attend school outdoors. It’s extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, and fun.
ACP President Dr. Ziad J. Asali said, “This is a great example of what can be done to help the Palestinians as a result of the Memo of Understanding signed between ACP and USAID. This donation is worth $200,000 and will have a real and lasting impact on the education of many students in Palestine.”
—Mohammad Maraqa
