Is this the most ridiculous charity you've ever heard of?

Question

I was watching NBC recently, and they have Masi Oka from Heroes doing a PSA for this charity that will donate a laptop computer to a child in a developing nation. I was flabergasted! A laptop? A freaking laptop?! I'm all for charity and helping out those who are less fortunate, but if we're trying to give aid to those who are less fortunate, shouldn't laptop computers be about the last thing on the list? I mean, aren't there plenty of children in these same countries that need food and vaccines and clean drinking water? Really, I'm at a loss . . . Am I that far off, or is this one of the most ludicrous things you've ever heard?

See for yourself:

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

Answer 1

Considering its low cost, i would say no. Ever heard the saying, "knowledge is power"? I think that applies here. What better gift to give a child than the opportunity to better themselves?

Answer 2

The most ridiculous charities are those run by televangelists on TV who drive Bentleys and have multiple homes in various countries. getting poor people a means to an education is a way to fight poverty.  It's the old give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish and he can feed himself every day.

Answer 3

Why, no.

I'm assuming it's part of the "laptops for all" program.

Yes, they need other things, but getting an education will help them all their lives.

Again, assuming it's the program I think it is, they are special laptops, really, really cheap, super-durable, with Internet connectivity, and don't need electricity to run (you crank them up by hand to charge their batteries).

I think it's wrong-headed and short-sighted to say "No one gets anything until the physical needs of everyone are met." It's currently an impossible standard.

There are a lot of organizations seeing to the needs you mention, such as water-supplies and vaccines.

But when chldren get an education, they can take better care of themselves and their children when they're adults. This is also a worthwhile goal.

If you don't want to contribute, don't. But there's nothing wrong with others wanting to fill this need.

Answer 4

I thought I was the only one who thought this was insane...Then above all else, they say if you donate one you can get one for a child in your life too...WHAT???  What sense does that make!!!!

Do you think the child would want a laptop with no way of powering it because they study by candlelight and have no electricity or do you think they want a meal...I swear some things are just ridiculous.

Answer 5

The idea behind these laptops is to bring children who go to school in 3rd world countries a chance to be brought up to par with technological advances. The little laptops are pretty nifty and are waterproof. They work on wi-fi.

Answer 6

As a humanitarian who is working and living in Romania, and struggling daily to find people willing to donate money for DIAPERS AND CLOTHES! I was appalled and repulsed. I believe I even posted that once before here. About 1 in every 10 village children are going to die this winter due to exposure and starvation and some idiot thinks a laptop is somehow important. SELL THE LAPTOPS AND SEND MONEY FOR FOOD AND DIAPERS!  Sorry, I get carried away and this whole idea rubs me wrong. Thanks for bringing it up