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Sure there are more important things to solve for so many families, but In the modern world, we can skip on gradually solving basic needs. We can and should lea
by jibla 7y ago
Sure there are more important things to solve for so many families, but In the modern world, we can skip on gradually solving basic needs. We can and should leapfrog.
Furthermore, we believe that internet access and access to information can play a catalyst role in solving those problems.
Today we take the internet for granted, but it's luxury for so many people. It is a commodity like water and electricity.
One thing is, what we think people need and another is what they really need. It will be more relevant to use so-called LSM's - Lifestyle measures while evaluating the importance of the internet. That said how do we explain the resident of the village with no clean drinking water, buying a cell phone or kitchen appliance? or a mother paying for her son's education tutoring, even when she goes hungry? A farmer investing in cattle before improving his house? These are all facts and I am sure many of us have heard these stories. One thing is what we perceive and another is what people really need.
Btw by working with the local communities, providing resources, training and constant assistance, we also seem to encourage them to see the relevance of an Internet connection. We hope to prove that most of our beneficiaries will be willing to continue paying for their Internet fees long after we have stopped paying for them. According to preliminary studies most of the families are ready to reprioritize their costs and maintain an internet connection. Because of the high price barrier, they couldn't afford the internet and now since they understand its role in their lives and its relevance, their priorities have changed.
- vkaku 7y agoOkay, what is the first thing the poor families should be doing after getting the said internet connection? Is the answer - job opportunities, free education, survival skills? The truth is that the internet does provide these, but how many of them actually use it?
- jibla 7y agoWhat we can say from our experience of working with poor students, is that they are no different from those kids around us. Contrary to popular belief, the underprivileged accept advanced technology as readily as we do. Young people adopt technology easily and use it the same way their peers in wealthy countries and sometimes even more consciously because their problems are much different from the first world ones. They use it to serve their basic needs, but also it becomes a window to the world and opportunities for them - a chance. Internet helps them discover their interests and passions, trying things out and learn about new professions they've never heard about. Anyway, it is better to be connected in today's world, than not. Why? because of the same reasons why none of us here on HN would give up their connection.