14 November 2007 130 views One Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

Can you imagine life without access to the internet? How about life without a computer? Hard to imagine that these days right? Personally, I’ve grown so accustomed to using these technologies on a daily basis that I completely take it for granted. I make my living online, so I truly depend on these technologies. There are so many out there who have no access to these technologies. When MIT Professor Nicholas Negroponte experienced how connected laptops changed the lives of children in a remote Cambodian village in 2002, he began his crusade to develop the XO laptop. The vision of One Laptop per Child can be found here.

First of all, I am extremely proud of my fellow writers and bloggers who decided to write about such a great cause. Wide reaching bloggers such as John from Johnchow.com and Jim from Blueprint for Financial Prosperity stepped up and took the time to vouch for this organization. I’m sure many more will join us very soon.

Up to November 26th, OLPC is having a give one get one promotion, where you can donate a laptop to a child, and also get one for yourself or a child in your life. T-mobile has stepped up to give all purchasers a year of free hotspot access as well. This is actually a great machine for the price. It runs on Linux and has lots of cool features for children to utilize. I can only imagine the joy in that child’s face when he or she turns it on for the first time. Can you remember the first time you got a video game system or a computer? For only $399, $200 of which is tax deductible, you can change someone’s life.

I believe it is extremely important to provide help to others when you are in the position to do so. I have talked about this when I wrote about my ultimate goal in life. Sure, my reasons for building wealth include being able to have nice things and to live comfortably. However, I also understand that by helping anyone else through their lives, evening in small ways, a part of me stays alive in them. Perhaps they would be inclined to help someone else at some point, and that goodness snowballs like compounding rates of return (sorry, I had to throw something about personal finance in here). Remember, your impact on this world is far more than physical.

I’ve placed my order. I don’t even know what I’m going to do with the thing when I get it, but I can figure that out later. Please join me and support the fine individuals who have made this dream a reality. Let these kids know that the world hasn’t forgotten about them.