UNRWA Provides Laptops to Gaza School Children

From rockets and bombs to high tech devices, the kids in Gaza don't receive the things other kids see; in this case it is clearly positive.

(GAZA CITY) - "One laptop per child", it is a vision that has now turned into reality. This is the first project of its kind to be created by UNRWA, the United Nations Relief Works Agency launched a plan to distribute some 200,000 laptops to children who attend school in Gaza.

The event was attended by Filipae Grandi, the URRWA Commissioner General, and Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the One Laptop Per Child project.

Grandi said, "On behalf of all the children in UNRW schools that I hope one day come where every child will have a laptop, so this is an important step that we wanted to launch today, here in Gaza."

The long-range plan involves the distribution of half million laptop computers to refugees across the Middle East by 2012. Negroponte says the plan calls for linking students and teachers via wireless Internet.

"The end of isolation is a very important concept. When I started the laptop project I thought the key was eliminating poverty, and that is a key, but what I have learned in the last few years is that isolation is as big and maybe even a bigger problem, because isolation plus poverty is a very dangerous phenomenon."

Yousef Al-Helou is a freelance journalist based in Gaza, you can reach him at this email address: ydamadan@hotmail.com. We at Salem-News.com greatly appreciate Yousef's contribution for our readers. The siege of Gaza is one of the most upsetting and seemingly avoidable military events since the dawn of the new Millennium. Having someone in the field there able to send fresh reports to us offers our viewers the freshest perspective from the scene that they are likely to find in western media.

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Natalie May 17, 2010 5:15 pm (Pacific time)

Anon: could you give us any hint re who you are? You often claim to be the first one to predict something, but never mention your name. Can you really blame the sceptics then? Another thing: I wish all the anons used some kind of tool to tell them apart-1,2,3,A,B,C,☺,☻,♥...whatever. Otherwise, it feels like all the anon comments were written by one person with a severe bipolar disorder. And it's very confusing for the "weaker half", you know.

Anonymous May 17, 2010 2:39 pm (Pacific time)

Tim: Have you researched what kind of laptops? Have you researched what hardware/software is in the laptops? Have you researched what internet connections they will or will not get? This is what I am talking about my good friend. You could be one of those who invited in the trojan horse. I could be wrong, but we should always be careful and learned before supporting something with such devotion. Again, my thanks to you for supporting the palestinians, and exposing israel for what they really are. Maybe israel is using laptops instead of bombs? They did it to the U.S., and just dont want them to do it again to the palestinians... Keep aware my friend.

Anonymous May 17, 2010 2:30 pm (Pacific time)

To editor: I understand your thoughts, but no, not lonely. And I am not suspicious. If I know it is going to rain every year in Oregon, and the government/media say it isnt, I will blog and say they are not telling the truth. That simple. I spend more time telling others about the lies in regards to the economy and the big banks to be honest because its closer to home for me. As far as those in Gaza, i support websites by word of mouth, and financial assistance who support the palestinians and expose the evils of israel. I was just trying to point out the laptops might be a trojan horse. And Kalib? wasnt worried about hamas, the computers will come from the western world, ie; mostly canada and the u.s. Walt: yes, the fact that basic needs are not met, but laptops are being sent, only reinforces my theory. Editor: lets be nice ok? daniel johnson already edited my comments for no other reason than he disagrees, I would really like to be a part of a civil discussion here on Salem-news,.. thanks :-)

walt kovacs May 17, 2010 3:04 am (Pacific time)

wait a sec...i thought the kids in gaza are starving to death? how does one eat a laptop?

(Editor) Tim King: As long as you don't mind making people sick, carry on little man and show the world what you are about.

Kalib May 17, 2010 12:23 am (Pacific time)

Editor, I think what anonymous #1 was trying to convey was that indoctrination of children to radical islam is not helping them, you are just giving them more tools to do so. Brainwashing by Hamas is a documented fact by Human Rights Watch Groups. Do you not think that these laptops will eventually land in the hands of terrorist?

Editor: Hamas is the elected political group of a highly oppressed and threatened population. The PLO does not represent the Palestinian people. A growing percentage of world citizens are 100% certain that Israel is operating illegally under International Law on numerous levels, but it goes on because the U.S. is equally immoral and illegal in its support of it. What the U.S. would send a person to prison for, for the rest of their natural lives, is it guilty of every stinking day. That is accomplice to Murder. The kids of Gaza are forced to live behind a wall like caged animals, with Hamas, by Israel's choice, and the help of neighboring Arab nations that have all but turned their back. The last thing in the world I am worried about, is Hamas reaching kids they already live next to, on laptops. Can you just think about that for a second?

Vic May 16, 2010 11:41 pm (Pacific time)

Actually, the post from anonymous isnt too far out there. I believe he/she was saying that when you control minds, you control people...it is going on here as we speak...What tyrannical/occupying/enslaving government would not want to do that? What better way than through a medium that people willfully spend hours at a day? That being said, I believe humans are inherently good and able to see through the BS (eventually), so attempts at "mind control" will backfire big time.

Editor: Vic, the idea of denying Palestinian kids what our kids have just infuriates me, as this will be their only chance for years to attain something like this. Placing paranoia in the face of a real good and decent act is very counterproductive. Johnny law has his eye on all of us regardless of whether we have a laptop to do research, and to communicate to the outside world with.

Amanda May 16, 2010 4:44 pm (Pacific time)

What an inspiring gesture and possible additional future aid for the Palestinians people.

Anonymous May 16, 2010 3:13 pm (Pacific time)

Deja vu...This is how bad things are, and its time to start learning. The laptops will be used to indoctrinate/brainwash, and GPS. They are just doing the same thing they are doing in the U.S. among many other countries. take over the media and education system, brainwash and indoctrinate.
Next, they will offer them free (sic)vaccines, watch and see. google; "big brother spying on your children thru free laptops" research it and you will understand.

Editor: Well when you are suspicious about every single thing in the world, why would I not be surprised to see this? You would prefer to see the kids of Gaza denied than receive laptops, that truly makes me sick. It must be lonely having such depressing and hopeless opinions

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UNRWA Provides Laptops to Gaza School Children

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