Food or Laptops?

A question arose in our digital divide lecture that I thought was really interesting...What needs to be done to boost the under privileged in our world up the societal ladder? The OLPC Project is a fantastic example of this and raises such questions. The projects developers wanted to use a laptop as a vehicle in the education system of developing countries. The $100 laptops fit into the textbook budget and are designed to bring the poorest children in the world internet access. HOWEVER, response to the project comes in two different forms. One side is pro the concept, whilst the other scrutinises the project. The debate comes down to ‘food’ or ‘laptop’. Pro argues that the project is facilitating education and propelling kids up the socio-economic ladder, basically giving students a jump start to that next level. Against argues that the project doesn’t fit into the curriculum and wonders why food and other such things that will aid the children’s present lives aren’t distributed instead. They say that there is no supporting info structure and no need in the curriculum for technological advancements such as the laptop. OLPC says that there first must be the technology to enable an info structure to be created. Two opposing thoughts. So this brings me to my question, what do these people need to escape these ‘poor’ underprivileged lives and propel into higher streams of society? It is evident that technology is a HUGE part of the western world. It surrounds us and affects all parts of our lives. By giving these children access to technology, they are not only being prepared for, but are given access to other areas of society. Many of these children are not even aware that life exists outside their own environment. The laptop can open their eyes to the world. Not only does it immediately affect the child but it affects all those who the child is associated with...their parents, teachers, brothers, sisters. Yes maybe food will help these children’s immediate lives and aid the present starvation, but the OLPC project opens gates to later life... it unlocks a door to a better future. With education, starvation may not even be a future issue in these kids’ lives.