Should needy families get free computers?
I wonder if any parents can imagine their child saying to them: 'Mum, I must hand in my IT homework by tomorrow, but I cannot book any computers in the public library, what can I do?' And yet I am sure this question is asked in families that cannot afford to buy a computer.
I know of a family living near me that faces this problem. Because of poverty, this little girl's life is very different from that of her classmates. While they play games online, she is desperate to use the time allocated to her on the computer to finish her school project.
Getting access to internet is easy for most children nowadays, but it is hard for those from destitute families.
This girl has to ask me if she can spend a few minutes on my desktop. It is heartbreaking to see her embarrassment, as she says to me: 'I am sorry to cause you a great inconvenience.'
You are only allowed to spend one hour on the computers in the public library and, as she explained to me, this is not enough time for her to do her homework.
I think donation of equipment is the most direct way to help. Every year, various kinds of electronic components and gadgets are abandoned. Our government should set up a system which enables people to contribute old monitors, mice, keyboards and other kinds of computer equipment, so that it can be recycled and reused.