Children in third world countries need access to safe (clean) drinking water, enough food, shelter, adequate clothing for the season, medical care, sanitation (latrines instead of fields or ditches), basic education... not a laptop computer!
These are going to be hot items for black marketeers, with children or their families likely being robbed and/or killed for a laptop, or what parent wouldn't sell it on their own to feed their child! (see story link) http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061224/lf_afp/thailandeducation
I hope this story is a joke. I've BEEN to several places listed on the link, and the last thing these children need is a laptop.
I vote for _a LAP for every child_, not a laptop.
You?
2006-12-24 20:13:49 · 11 answers · asked by RedIsBlue 3 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Cheap or not, these laptops link up, have a camera and video capability, etc.. perfect for making child porn, or for criminals to link up easier without being traced. Maybe MIT can send disposable cel phones to kids in third world countries too to help the black market and criminals.
2006-12-24 20:30:12 · update #1
Are we talking about third world countries that have little or no electricty? Gee, the laptop after 4 hours of use will make a nice doorstop. Get real!
As for funding these countries or sending welfare, tell me, in 90% of cases where does 90% of it end up? With the wealthy that rule, that's where.
Who comes up with these great ideas?
Fair dinkum, it could only be a comnplete imbecile that would want to give a laptop instead of real help.
Do what I do, I only donate to those organistations that actually go to the country and help the people who are suffering, I won't "plug" my charity here but one's like UNICEF.
2006-12-24 21:48:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I also think this is a totally hair-brained idea.
Oh sure just what starving sick kids need: to see what the rest of the world has courtesy of the internet. Just what illiterate and shivering kids need: something their folks can sell for medicine or food for them. It doesn't matter if the governments "buy" them for the kids.
Look at the situation in parts of Africa where for decades the government buys grain to feed the people or the grain is donated and flown in and delivered by relief workers. The grain gets re-directed and sold for profit or relief workers get killed over grain so it can be stolen and sold on the black market or refugees get killed or trampled in the rush for food. That's just grain. Think what 'the most modern technology' will bring for the kids and distributors.
When it comes to helping people in third world countries: KISS (keep it simple stupid).
I've been to many different countries and I can't see this laptop idea helping at all. In fact I forsee the opposite.
I like your idea of ONE LAP FOR EACH CHILD. Not one laptop!!!
MIT = Morons In Training.
2006-12-24 20:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by fly boy 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Your right, the kids need an adult to watch over and protect them, not a bunch of computers.
Maby the computers will have medical information stored in them, who knows, missapropriation of said laptops will likely happen.
2006-12-24 20:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by Jungleroy 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
My answer is I am really tired of hearing about the third world. It has been that way as long as I have been alive and I do not care if some moviestar adopts some baby to bring up awarness, everyone knows, what I do care about is how this country is becoming a third world because everyone wants to whine about others problems and not address the ones at home first.
2006-12-24 20:19:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Maybe it is not the best idea, but I can understand it, since the Internet provides people with a lot of knowledge.
2006-12-24 21:20:38 · answer #5 · answered by Avner Eliyahu R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hope the story is a hoax or a joke. It's too stupid to be real.
2006-12-24 21:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by BeautifulJustBeautiful 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I also agree the people involved need their brains examined. Typical to put what they THINK people need ahead of actual REAL needs. Duuuuh!
2006-12-24 20:45:25 · answer #7 · answered by le païen 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I heard the guy who came up with this idea on NPR.
As I understand it,These computers are very cheaply
made.Let's hope that they have little or no black market value.
2006-12-24 20:26:16 · answer #8 · answered by moebiusfox 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
I agree with you & niceguy. It's a recipe for disaster.
2006-12-24 20:34:56 · answer #9 · answered by sen 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have been to China where everybody is supposed to be poor and starving. Not so , most people have cellphones and are very happy. Laptops are fine.
2006-12-24 20:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋