This week on What the People Say we asked persons: If the president gave you a laptop what would you and your household use it for? Would you be able to access the internet? Would you be able to access voltage stabilizers? How would you be able to maintain or protect it?
Here are their responses:
Dave Brown, electrician/technician, `I know to use the computer to do a lot of ‘stuff’ but I do not have one on my own. If the president gives me a laptop I would be very happy; it would help me in many ways. I would use it mostly for educational purposes. I would help my younger brothers and sisters with their assignments. I would also use it to access the internet because that is where most of the information we need would come from.
I already have voltage stabilizers. I have to take care of it so I would try not to let my younger siblings mess up the programmes. I have virus protection software and I would install it and update it often so as to prevent my computer from becoming infected. Downloading music or movies from the internet causes viruses to infect the computer so I would not take that chance.’
Havlene Benjamin, housewife, `I think that is very generous of the president to give a laptop computer, especially the families who cannot afford. I am glad for it because I would get to learn how to use it. I don’t know anything about it. I sent my children to computer classes but I cannot afford to buy a computer for them. When they have assignments they have to go to the internet cafes and pay to use and it is only for a short time and they would not always get everything they need. If I get one for them it would be very beneficial because I would hook it up on the internet and they can use it from the comfort of our home.
Once I get the laptop I would have to buy the voltage stabilizer because that would prevent it from being damaged. I would also put it up safely and out of the reach of my underage children and I would clean it externally and also have virus protection.’
Nigel Success, surveying assistant, `I do not know much about 
computers but if I am given the opportunity to get one from the president I would try to become computer literate.
Once it is in the house I would learn to use it. My fiancé is a teacher and she gives lessons to the youths in the community so not only my household would benefit from the laptop computer but those youths as well. It would definitely be used for educational purposes.
I would be willing to pay for the internet service every month because I would get useful information. I have a voltage stabilizer because of my appliances. I always wanted to get a computer but my wage is just enough to run the home and pay bills etc. I am so glad that the president thought of giving each family a computer. I would ensure that my computer is stored at a safe place after use and of course I would not leave it on after I finish using it.’
Aletha Richmond, vendor, `I am a single mother of 12 and I would be very grateful if I can indeed receive a laptop computer from the president. My children would use it mostly for their school work. At the moment it is costing me a lot to send them to the internet café to obtain information for their assignments and to prepare the folders. Some of my children learnt to use it at school but the others did not get the opportunity. I am happy for the president’s initiative to provide homes with a computer because this is the age of technology. I do not have a stabilizer but I would buy one just to keep the computer safe. I would also put in virus protection and scan it often and I would ensure that it is unplugged after use.’
Javed Saywack, UG medical student, `I think the computer project is a very good initiative because this is a technologically advanced era and everybody should become computer literate. If I am to get a laptop it would help me a lot with my studies. As a student also, I feel that it would help to eliminate the use of multiple text books because most of the applicable books are available online. Access to a voltage stabilizer is easy; it is available at most electrical shops. It is very important to have stabilizers because of the fluctuation of current which can damage the computer. We should also avoid running the laptop on the charger because that would contribute to the decrease in the total battery life. I would install virus protection and ensure that it is updated frequently.’
Sharon Kumkarran, housewife, `I have two children at secondary school and as a single mother it is very hard on me financially. I do not have a computer so my children have to be at their friends’ house until late at nights to do assignments. I get worried when they are out and I don’t like them to inconvenience people either. I also pay for them to use the internet at the internet cafés. If I get a laptop it would help a lot with my children’s schoolwork. I was always eager to learn to use the computer and I think this would be a good opportunity for me. The voltage stabilizer would help to prevent the computer from being damaged so I would try to get one. I would service my computer often and ensure that the screen and keyboard are always clean. I know computers can be affected by viruses so I would get someone to install a programme to prevent that.’
Sherry Williams, hairdresser, `I have three children and even though they are at primary school I still have to get pictures and information from the internet for their folders. There are no internet cafés in the area so I have to go to another village to use the service. If I have the computer at home it would be very convenient. I do not know to use the internet but I willing to learn so that I can help my children. I would also be able to gain a lot of knowledge from browsing the internet. I already have a stabilizer for my fridge and television and I would use the same one if I get the computer. I would care it and ensure that it does not get virus. When I am finished using it I would turn it off and unplug the power.’
Nandkishore Deokie, RC Corporal/Member of Community Policing Group, `The computer project is a good idea because it would assist the children. Most of the information that they need for their assignments is available on the internet. But not all of the children have computers. I have two children and my three nieces also live in the same house and when they have to use the internet they have to go to the internet café. If the president gives them a computer it would benefit them a lot. I would also hook it up on the internet because we would all be able to learn so much, not only about our country but all over the world. Having a computer which I was not able to provide them with would boost their educational standards. I also feel that the living standard of people on a whole would go up; we won’t be at one level all the time because everybody would want to learn. I already have two voltage stabilizers at home that I use on my music system and the other on my fridge, television and other items for power fluctuation. I would use one for the computer because it would help to protect it. I would ensure that I take it off from the power after use but I am not sure how to maintain it and I would have to seek advice.’
Rose Mohabir, salesgirl, `First of all although I am glad for a computer I do not have electricity because I don’t have transport for my land. But I do have a generator which I use for my music, light and television. If I get a laptop from the president I would be able to use it with the generator but not together with the fridge and music. I would use the computer mostly to do research for my kids’ homework. I do not have a line phone but I would ensure that I get it connected so that I can get access to the internet. I heard that when people go on certain websites the computer can get viruses so I would have to make sure I only go on the sites that I would benefit from. Also, I would ensure that it is not left idling on the power for long periods.’
Faneeza Alli, receptionist, `Obviously I welcome the idea of the president 
providing a laptop to households and I wish to have one for my family. It would help a lot in educational use for my children. I would connect it to the internet because that is where they would be able to access all the information. I have a child at high school and she has a lot of assignments. Usually their dad and I would help with their homework and when they have assignment we would try to get the information from the text books. But that would not be enough. They would have to go the internet café to do it and that is very costly because they also have to print. Sometimes they would have to be on the phones with their friends for a long time to get the information they need. Having a computer would be beneficial for me too because I did a few courses but I do not get access to a computer to practice. It would be a big help for me if I get the laptop and I have to try and get the voltage stabilizer to prevent it from being damaged. I would also try to get a printer so my children can print their work. Most of all I would ensure that it is not affected by virus.’