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August 09, 2006
Bridging the digital divide – the World Bank donates computers to non profit organizations
The World Bank Dhaka Office handed over a hundred refurbished and well-functioning personal computers and laptops to three non-profit organizations. During the ceremony, World Bank Country Director stressed the linkages between development and technology and remarked, “Technology has an important role to play in poverty reduction. Technology keeps you informed and links you to the rest of the world.”
Although this is a small step in bridging the digital divide, the World Bank hopes that the underprivileged children will get a better opportunity in enhancing their computer skills with the help of these computers.
The World Bank donated the computers to three non-profit educational organizations:
Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP): a national program working to enhance skills of underprivileged children and youth;
Ganderia Kisholoy Kochi Kachar Mela: a local chapter of Kochi Kachar Mela which promotes cultural activities along with education to underprivileged children.
Corpus Christi High School, Madhupur, Tangail: an organization which targets and provides education to children of the Garo ethnic community.
The computers will be used for enhancing IT skills among the youth in order to make them competitive in the labour market of Bangladesh. Senior officials and students from the organizations were present at the ceremony. On being asked how the computer would change their lives, Md. Belal of UCEP commented, “I feel more confident now that I will not fall behind my other colleagues when I start working for an organization.” Ms. Chiram, Head Teacher from Corpus Christi High School said that the donated computers will improve access of Garo children to modern technology and information and enhance their networking skills.
The power of the internet was seen first hand when the children opened individual e-mail accounts with assistance from World Bank staff. The children wasted no time in exchanging e-mail among themselves and World Bank staff and created a ‘network’ of their own.
The program was unique as it brought together technical computer specialists and deprived children who have had limited access to technology.
Posted by admin at August 9, 2006 08:19 AM