Kitty/Campbellville, Lodge, Sophia residents receive laptops
Georgetown, GINA, January 4, 2012
Source - GINA
Beneficiaries from Kitty/Campbellville receiving their laptops from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle. Also in the picture are Staff of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Secretariat
Distribution of the Government’s innovative One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme has picked up full speed as today Georgetown residents, namely in Kitty/Campbellville, Lodge and Sophia received their devices which will empower them and their families to become computer literate and in the long- run will transform Guyana.
During today’s distribution, 39 persons from Kitty/Campbellville, 20 from Lodge and 22 from Sophia received their laptops in the presence of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle.
While at the New Campbellville Secondary School and Volunteer Youth Corps, Lodge, Minister Anthony emphasised that restricting Information Communication Technology (ICT) training to schools does not allow access to the technology and internet to the entire family. The OLPF programme on the other hand, places a computer within homes for all in the family to access.
Minister Anthony indicated that it is expected that the recipients will use the device to its fullest which will eventually simplify their lives in many ways. “One of the things that is happening across the world is that people are using computer technology to create the digital economy… we are moving our population in that direction,” he said.
The Minister was referring to the fact that many people, worldwide, are using the internet as an income generation tool. Guyana must not be left behind in this area; through the internet Guyanese can be empowered to promote their products via the internet.
Minister Anthony indicated his confidence that through this programme more people will be able to access education and learn faster.
The recipients were urged not to retain the knowledge they will acquire to themselves but, to share it with their family members and neighbours, particularly those who do not have access to the technology as yet.
Minister Anthony posited that targeting the family unit is critical since giving them the laptops increases the number of people with ICT skills. The OLPF programme targets 90,000 Guyanese families thereby reducing the ICT skill gap.
Recipients from Lodge with the laptops. Also in the picture are Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle
Meanwhile at Mercy Wing, Sophia where the area’s residents gathered to collect their laptop, Lumumba urged that they care them and report all difficulties encountered during their use to the OLPF Secretariat.
He told the recipients that Government invested in this project so as to give ordinary persons the modern skills needed to survive in a technologically inclined world.
“This computer is a part of the development of your future; it is an opportunity for you to live differently,” he urged.
With the computer comes empowerment, hence he urged the parents to guide their children in the use of the instrument to ensure that it is utilized for its intended purpose.
During today’s exercise the recipients also benefitted from a short session detailing how to install the batteries as well as the care of the equipment. The recipients also worked out the trainers’ schedule for their compulsory 10 hours training on the use of the laptop.
Government has also made provisions to expand internet access with the materialization of the fibre optic cable which is being brought from Brazil. As a result of this, people will benefit from cheaper internet rates and will be able to access virtual libraries, educational tools and communicate with relatives via the internet.
The arrival of the first 5000 Haier laptops from China paved the way for start of the distribution phase which saw 1000 being given out by former President Bharrat Jagdeo at the National Cultural Centre, last October. Since then distribution has been ongoing across the country, with several Ministers becoming involved in the process. Thus far recipients in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10 have begun receiving their devices.
The OLPF project is the brain-child of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and has as its priority single parents, the differently-abled and low income families in the first phase. It is envisioned that through the programme all Guyanese will be able to keep up with the constant technological advancements.
Georgetown, GINA, January 4, 2012
Source - GINA
Beneficiaries from Kitty/Campbellville receiving their laptops from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle. Also in the picture are Staff of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) SecretariatDistribution of the Government’s innovative One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme has picked up full speed as today Georgetown residents, namely in Kitty/Campbellville, Lodge and Sophia received their devices which will empower them and their families to become computer literate and in the long- run will transform Guyana.
During today’s distribution, 39 persons from Kitty/Campbellville, 20 from Lodge and 22 from Sophia received their laptops in the presence of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle.
While at the New Campbellville Secondary School and Volunteer Youth Corps, Lodge, Minister Anthony emphasised that restricting Information Communication Technology (ICT) training to schools does not allow access to the technology and internet to the entire family. The OLPF programme on the other hand, places a computer within homes for all in the family to access.
Minister Anthony indicated that it is expected that the recipients will use the device to its fullest which will eventually simplify their lives in many ways. “One of the things that is happening across the world is that people are using computer technology to create the digital economy… we are moving our population in that direction,” he said.
The Minister was referring to the fact that many people, worldwide, are using the internet as an income generation tool. Guyana must not be left behind in this area; through the internet Guyanese can be empowered to promote their products via the internet.
Minister Anthony indicated his confidence that through this programme more people will be able to access education and learn faster.
The recipients were urged not to retain the knowledge they will acquire to themselves but, to share it with their family members and neighbours, particularly those who do not have access to the technology as yet.
Minister Anthony posited that targeting the family unit is critical since giving them the laptops increases the number of people with ICT skills. The OLPF programme targets 90,000 Guyanese families thereby reducing the ICT skill gap.
Recipients from Lodge with the laptops. Also in the picture are Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Presidential Advisor on Community Development and Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba and Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve NinvalleMeanwhile at Mercy Wing, Sophia where the area’s residents gathered to collect their laptop, Lumumba urged that they care them and report all difficulties encountered during their use to the OLPF Secretariat.
He told the recipients that Government invested in this project so as to give ordinary persons the modern skills needed to survive in a technologically inclined world.
“This computer is a part of the development of your future; it is an opportunity for you to live differently,” he urged.
With the computer comes empowerment, hence he urged the parents to guide their children in the use of the instrument to ensure that it is utilized for its intended purpose.
During today’s exercise the recipients also benefitted from a short session detailing how to install the batteries as well as the care of the equipment. The recipients also worked out the trainers’ schedule for their compulsory 10 hours training on the use of the laptop.
Government has also made provisions to expand internet access with the materialization of the fibre optic cable which is being brought from Brazil. As a result of this, people will benefit from cheaper internet rates and will be able to access virtual libraries, educational tools and communicate with relatives via the internet.
The arrival of the first 5000 Haier laptops from China paved the way for start of the distribution phase which saw 1000 being given out by former President Bharrat Jagdeo at the National Cultural Centre, last October. Since then distribution has been ongoing across the country, with several Ministers becoming involved in the process. Thus far recipients in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10 have begun receiving their devices.
The OLPF project is the brain-child of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and has as its priority single parents, the differently-abled and low income families in the first phase. It is envisioned that through the programme all Guyanese will be able to keep up with the constant technological advancements.
