Laptops Initiative

What:
The Laptops Initiative is our plan to put laptops into the hands of as many people we can on our 2008 work teams to Silindile, South Africa.

Why:
Patricia Nkambule needs a computer. Enos Mndebele needs a computer. Bhekisipho Sibiya needs a computer.

Who gets the laptops?
People who are most willing and able to use them for the benefit of their communities.

Why laptops instead of desktops?

  • Portability – When there are not enough computers to go around, it is easier to share access among members of a community group, church congregation, faculty or business if the computer can be passed around.
  • Security – Computer theft is an unfortunate reality, especially when computers are scarce. Schools or businesses with desktop computers left unattended at night are often broken into and equipment stolen. Laptops can be taken home at the end of the day.
  • Logistics – We have taken a few donated desktops & peripherals with us to South Africa in the past. They are heavy and bulky, and don’t like being tossed around by baggage handlers. We can take a couple dozen laptops per trip by having individual team members carry them as hand luggage.

Issues to be resolved:
Where will we get the laptops? Should we accept donated laptops? Should we try to provide identical computers? What make or model? Where do we find 20 (or 100, or 1000) identical affordable laptops? What about software and licensing? What about training? What about maintenance and support? Is internet access a part of all this?

Good questions, and there are others. If you have some answers, or some more questions, or some bright ideas, or any interest at all in helping us do this thing, please get involved.

1 comment so far

  1. JI NKOSI(JOHN) on October 3, 2007

    IN THE NAME OF GOD HELLO OVER THERE.AS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF SILINDILE METHODIST CHURCH IT PLEASES TO NOTE THAT YOU ARE HAVING SPLENDID PLANS FOR THIS SOCIETY MOREOVER IT WILL MUCH MORE PLEASING IF YOUR LAPTOPS INITIATIVE CAN BE ACHIEVED AS PLANNED BY YOURSELVES GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE ARE LIVING IN A DESPENSATION WHERE ALMOST EVERYTHING IS TECHNOCRATIC AND TECHNOLOGY HAS BECOME EVERYBODYS NEED HENCE BY BRINGING SUCH STUFF TO US IT WILL BE A DREAM COME TRUE AS OUR SKILLS WILL BE UPLIFTED MOREOVER OF MUCH BENEFIT EVEN IN THE COMMUNITY WE LIVE IN .I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT WITH GOD BEING THE PROVIDER OF ALL THINGS THIS GOAL WILL BE ACHIEVED .GOD BLESS YOU.

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