Photo by One Laptop Per Child via Flickr
Later this week two of our friends will be delivering a laptop courtesy of another friend to a student in Ecuador. The friends don’t know each other, and we don’t know the boy in Ecuador – yet. It all came about through a request from our friends Jim and Mimi, who own the house we will be staying in on our first stop in Ecuador.
Jim and Mimi have strong ties to the community there and have become good friends with a particular family, one whose son would like a used laptop so he can go on to college. Jim put the word out to to us, and within an hour our friend Margit had a laptop to donate. What makes this so special is that she is a coach for gifted teenagers and really does love her work (and teenagers – go figure!).
Anyway, it just seems like a really great turn of events, and I’m happily surprised by the connections.
You can read more about Margit’s work with teens at her website or read her blog for people of all ages with ADD. Margit is a sunny, bright person with a big heart and I’m thrilled that she is the one who volunteered her laptop for this student.
Warren installed the new software and got a sturdy bag for it, and Jim is going to take it down after the holidays.
Only 9 more months until we land in Ecuador ourselves and get to meet this family. I love it that we are able to start making connections with people before we even get there. Thanks, Margit and Jim!
About Betsy
Thanks Betsy – what a sweet holiday gift! I didn’t even think about it being for teens when I emailed you. Maybe it was my unconscious mind?? I went to Ecuador when I was a teen and loved it. You will too, I’m sure. Can’t wait to read more about your adventures-before-the-adventure!
I have a clamshell Mac from about 2001 that I was going to clean up (some things on there I want) and sell on ebay but I can’t imagine getting more than $50 for it.
Maybe your friends know another child who can use a laptop. I would rather be part of sending a child to college than make fifty bucks!
Margit, you are so generous. Thank you!
Angela, there is probably already an organization who takes used computers for kids. As you can imagine, the biggest expense is the shipping because of the weight – especially of older laptops (my friend Jim is taking this one as his carryon on the flight down). I’m betting there is an organization in LA that would take your laptop. Let me do some checking around.