XO Laptops in the Hands of the Children

The globally renowned One Laptop Per Child Foundation (OLPC), mission is to create affordable opportunities for children of the developing world developed rugged, low-cost, low-power, internet ready laptops enriched with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. The primary aim is to improve learning and technology adoption as well as engendering computer usage in children as a first step towards fostering technological development on a national level.

This mission was accomplished in the School the Handicapped HLA Compound Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Nigeria on 3rd of August 2009 with the beginning of the children training on how to use XO laptop which I called "XO LAPTOP APPRECIATION" training. Some of these children are holding a computer for first time in their lives, and this marked the beginning of learning and technology adoption for development of new African future leaders.

All children are equal under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We put all the children with disabilities together with their non disabilities friends from community to learn from each other. The first day was fun all through because the day was dedicated to all game activities in XO laptop, how to on and shotdown, fixing of battery to the laptop and familiarization to the keyboard.

Lauching of XO at the School for the Hadicapped, Ibadan.

One of the grace God showered the day was a cool weather
and brighter day like a morning start. Though it is a rainy season but a single water did not mistakenly drop from heaven on this day, Wednesday 15th of July. The special adviser to Oyo State Governor on Physical Challenged matters, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi graced and chaired the occasion. While delivering his chairman opening speech the blind barrister advised all parents present to value their physically-challenged children ans see them as special gifts from God. He said this an event organized for the physically-challenged at the School for the Handicapped, HLA compound Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

In his address, Barrister Adekanmbi urged parents not to misuse the opportunity given to their children by One Laptop Per Child Association US by selling the laptops to offset their debts; but to allow the children to enjoy the benefits given them. He presented a copy of XO to one of the beneficiaries.



Deputy Director of Specail Education in Oyo State Primary Education Board (SPEB) also buttressed barrister's points, and also presented a copy of XO laptop to one the beneficiaries.

The begining of Teachers's Training

It was not easy as we all thought it was going to be before we started teachers's at the School for the Handicapped HLA Compound, Agodi Gate Ibadan. I can now realized there is large gap between adult education and children education. We tried all our possible best to train the teachers how to use XO laptop but most of them did not get it. I understand today is their first time learning computer ever, I am looking forward for improvement in the days ahead.