140 OLPF laptops distributed at non Pariel

One hundred and forty computers were recently distributed to Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara residents under government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative.

Residents assembled at the Non Pariel Mandir for the latest distribution and training exercise, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The exercise is the first phase for 2014 during which 17,000 laptops will be distributed. The exercise, which started in May, will run until month-end where persons in regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten are also expected to benefit.

At Non Pariel, residents were grateful for the instruments. “I am so grateful for the laptop that I received, because it will benefit me and my family, especially my children who [are] in secondary school, you know when they have assignments and so on, they can be able to access information,” Regina Reid said. Another resident, Latchmie Lakram said, “It’s a great effort and I know it would enhance my children especially. Technology is elevating, so we have to see somewhere to start it with the children also.”

The OLPF Programme started in 2011, pioneered by former president Bharrat Jagdeo whose vision was to introduce Information Communication Technology (ICT) to families nationwide. It targets 90,000 families.