In two weeks, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Secreta-riat distributed 3,200 more systems across Region Four, including to several persons with disabilities in Georgetown.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, 200 residents from a catchment area from Camp Street to Norton Street were the latest beneficiaries at a distribution exercise conducted at the Church of Heavenly Light on Norton Street.
The distribution was welcomed by residents, including Chairperson of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Leon Walcott, who said it was certainly a high point to receive the computer which will further improve his quality of life. “When you’re physically disabled, you have to rely on people for so many things and any little thing that can reduce that dependence is good for you,” Walcott said. Several other disabled persons also received laptops including a nearby resident and a shut-in whose computer was delivered to him at his home by OLPF staffers.
Ganand Chanderpaul, Oversight Quality Assurance Manager at the OLPF Secretariat said the exercise was successful. Despite the inclement weather, when the team arrived at the distribution centre more than 20 persons were already waiting. Chanderpaul said more than 60 residents benefited from preliminary basic introductory training given by the two designated trainers for the location and this exercise would be ongoing.
Previously, 3,000 systems were distributed at centres in several communities including Pigeon Island, Chateau Margot, Mon Repos and Better Hope, East Coast Demerara; New Market, Water and Camp Streets and Kitty, in Georgetown; at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara and in Kuru Kuru and surrounding areas.
According to GINA, 197 systems were distributed at the World Vision Foundation New Testament Church of God to the residents of Kitty; 283 at the Youth and Civil Club to residents of Mon Repos; 314 at Life Springs Ministry to residents of Pigeon Island and from Chateau Margot to Better Hope; 30 at School of the Nations to residents of New Market and Water Streets to Camp Street; 56 at Mocha Primary School to residents of Mocha and 115 at the Kuru Kuru Board of Industrial Training to residents of Kuru Kuru and surrounding communities.
Residents expressed gratitude to the government for the laptops. They noted that the instruments will be of great assistance, especially to students and workers.
A teacher who hails from Mon Repos said he is happy to have received a laptop as it will better enable him to assist his students with research from the comfort of his own home or office.
Laptops were also distributed from Victoria to Haslington, Enterprise to Paradise and Lusig-nan to Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; in Georgetown, Stevedore, South, East and West Ruimveldt, East, North East and West La Penitence, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Shirley Field Ridley Square and Rasville; from Houston to Providence, and Timehri and Long Creek, East Bank Demerara.
