I recently changed my mind about a motivating philosophy in my life.  I was reading Seed, a refreshing science magazine with young writers, and I stumbled across an article about an increase in science and technology implementation in Africa called Building a Bright Continent.  At first I thought this would be another attempt to encourage people to get laptops in the hands of children and adults in developing countries–which of course is a noble and worthy endeavor.  But this was different (which is exactly why I love this magazine), the article instead called for a new goal of using technology to solve problems and incorporate it into pre-existing practices in the community to enrich life.  Now, Seed only briefly mentions this idea in the article, but it really struck a chord with me and got me thinking.

For the past few years I’ve been interested in acquiring computers in the US and bringing them to children in developing nations, with the hope that I could do my part in inspiring the children to get connected and improve their lives and the lives of people in their communities.  I was able to convince a generous company to donate $5,000 to this cause, and I then used the donation to purchase 24 XO laptops from the OneLaptopPerChild campaign.  As you might know, participating in the Give One, Get One program with OLPC allowed me to pay the $5,000 and OLPC sent 12 laptops to a developing nation, and 12 laptops to my front door.  For the past few months I, and students and professors in the New Media Institute, have been exploring the XO laptops.  I have been biding my time, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself from which I would be able to get these 12 laptops in the hands of the children that need them.

I was waiting for a specific type of opportunity–one in which I would take a trip to a small village somewhere and the children would, with wide eyes, experience a ‘connected’ computer for the first time.  That was my dream and my goal from the beginning of the project; however, one must be flexible when dealing with initiatives like this.  The other night I ran into my professor, Emuel Aldridge, at Cali and Tito’s in Athens.  Emuel mentioned to me that he would be traveling to Costa Rica in mid-July, and that he could get me a cheap ticket down there and housing if I was interested.  Of course I jumped on the offer, and I am now working out all of the details for the trip.  Emuel connected me with a professor in Costa Rica named Quint.  Quint works with various schools in Costa Rica and abroad, and I thought he would be able to connect me with children in these schools–how perfect!  But instead, Quint proposed an idea that would never have crossed my mind in a million years.

He suggested that we not give the laptops to children, the target demographic for these particular models as they are bright green, have child-sized keyboards, and all pre-loaded programs are child/learning oriented.  Instead, he proposed that we spend four days traveling around Costa Rica and teaching local farmers how to use the laptops to increase their productivity and generally improve their lives.  Quint mentioned that a lot of the farming families had never had access to a computer, and the impact it would have on their lives would be great.

At first, I was opposed to the idea.  After all, these laptops are designed to be used by children.  I have a tough time typing on the small keyboard as it is, and the programs on them are not even remotely useful for adults.  But then I got to thinking, and I realized that it doesn’t really matter what the laptops are intended to be used for–in fact, that could be the very misconception that is keeping developing nations separated from technology.  What really matters is that we use technology to solve real-world, day-to-day problems in communities all over the world.  If a computer can help a farmer in Costa Rica manage his crops, sell them to a wider market, and connect him to friends and family all over the world–who cares if the keyboard is slightly smaller than that of a normal laptop?  Who cares if he never opens the music making game?  What really matters is that he and his family will be connected in new and exciting ways.  And that is exactly what I was trying to achieve all along.

So, in mid-July I will travel down to Costa Rica with Emuel and possibly a few others.  I’ll have a big waterproof pack with 12 XO laptops inside, a couple changes of clothes, and a toothbrush.  In all likelihood, I’ll be wearing sandals and a poncho for most of the trip.  Not only will this trip benefit real families in villages in an area of the world that doesn’t get that much technological attention, but it will be the experience of a lifetime.

And I’m already thinking of ways to do it bigger and better, next time around.  Suggestions welcome.  :)