Distribution under the Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme continued yesterday when residents in Kitty/ Campbellville, Lodge and Sophia received their computers.
GINA said that during yesterday’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 Empower-ment, 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, GINA said that Anthony emphasised that limiting Information Communi-cation Technology (ICT) training to schools does not allow access to the technology and internet for the entire family. He argued that the OLPF programme on the other hand, places a computer within homes for all in the family.
Recipients were urged not to keep the knowledge they will acquire to themselves but, to share it with their family members and neighbours, GINA said.
At the Mercy Wings institution, Sophia where the area’s residents gathered to collect their laptops, Lumumba urged that they care them and report all difficulties encountered during their use to the OLPF Secretariat, GINA said.
GINA said that during yesterday’s exercise the recipients also benefitted from a short session on 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.
GINA added that the government has also made provisions to expand internet access via the fibre optic cable which is being brought from Brazil. As a result, people will benefit from cheaper internet rates and will be able to access virtual libraries, educational tools and communicate with relatives via the internet.
