OLPF distribution goes to Region 5 – hundreds receive laptops

As part of Government’s drive to expand the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the country, approximately 900 residents of Bush Lot and Rosignol, Region Five are now in receipt of their laptops as the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Secretariat continues distributing the devices.

A representative of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF)

Secretariat conducting a training session at the Bush

Lot Secondary School during the Region 5 laptop distribution

Regional Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth who visited all the distributions centres on Thursday, commended the Government for sustaining the programme, and for ensuring that every Guyanese has access to Information Technology.

“The process has started in Region 5…a lot of them (residents) are happy, and I can assure you that they will make good use of the laptops,” Bisnauth said.

He expressed optimism that the entire region’s people will be serviced over a period of time.

Persons waiting to uplift their laptops at Bush Lot

Secondary School, Region Five

Bisnauth highlighted that a growing number of the beneficiaries are senior citizens who have shown keen   interest in the training. “They want to get involved in the digital world,” he said.

Beneficiaries at these locations also expressed happiness upon receiving the laptops and thanked the Government for such a pioneering initiative.

“On behalf of the residents of Bush Lot, I would like to thank the Government for this laptop which will benefit us; we are thankful,” said Bush Lot resident  MeenaSeegobin, as she uplifted her laptop at the area’s secondary school where about 300 laptops were expected to be distributed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, at Rosignol 337 laptops were slated to be distributed. Sham Kumari, who completed her first day of training, said she was very happy to be able to receive the laptop, especially during this festive season.

“I was waiting long for my laptop and I am happy to finally receive it…I have two daughters and this will also assist them to do their home work and we can all learn about the computer,” Kumari said.

Regional Five Chairman, Bindrabhan Bisnauth hands over

a laptop to one of the beneficiaries at Rosignol

The OLPF programme was launched in 2011, and was initiated by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The original aim of this programme is to equip 90,000 families with laptops. Thus far, over 40,000 laptops have been distributed to families in various communities countrywide.

On Tuesday, a distribution exercise was held at the Cotton Tree Primary school which saw persons from Bel Air, Edderton, Expectation, Friends, Retreat, Numbers 2, 3 and 8, Zee Lust and Zee Zight Villages, all of Region 5 benefitting. The distribution exercise continued today in Blairmont.