A Christmas Wish for the Youth of Afghanistan
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
December 01, 2009
I´ve recently been asked to join a group of concerned people on the topic of what can be done for the people of war torn Afghanistan. We all agree that the best we can ever hope for would be peace and safety, but also realize that may be a ways off from actually transpiring given the situation on the ground there and the direction our President in the USA may be leaning with regard to adding more troops. I have written other articles about what the people of Afghanistan want for the future of their country. This one is different.
My heart goes out to the people in Afghanistan who have to live with the threat of death daily. Each day they venture out of their homes may indeed be their last. People in America do not know how lucky they are that there is not a war going on within our borders, that we do not see the minutiae of war in our daily lives. Technology has made the world smaller and more connected than ever before. News from across the globe travels at nearly the speed of light. We now use satellite images to run our military skirmishes against the Al Qaeda in hopes of gaining ground.
As we improve upon the latest and greatest there is a surplus of old, but not necessarily outdated, equipment that sorely needs a home. There have been some efforts at recycling, but most have not had the desired effects. And there is also concern for toxicity from certain components. What I propose and my comrades in this discussion group would like to see happen is that we fix up those machines [computers] that have been traded in or tossed out to make room for the new breeds and send them to the youth of Afghanistan. This prospect would serve the double purpose of not seeing them clutter up a landfill and would provide useful tools in learning and educating the youth, up to college, in Afghanistan. Education is a key to understanding the people of the world and a very credible way to win their hearts and minds. So why not give this a try?
If memory serves me Apple, Dell, IBM or one of the other big computer manufacturers did a similar project in Africa and/or South America. In that instance, these were new $200 dollar computers specially manufactured for this purpose. They were used in the schools and given out to the children. That was a wonderful way to expand and introduce the use of technology and the internet, and to increase the amount of information to the students/children who need it most. Whether new or refurbished old it is a wonderful way to give back to the world community and help those who desperately need this gift.
We may have a hard time engaging the elder population is such things, but the youth are eager and hungry to learn. They want to know about the world outside of their borders. The more they learn the less they have to fear. The more educated and informed they are the better decisions they can make. Their educated and informed decisions can help shape the direction of their government and their own futures. Their educated and informed decisions can help broker a durable and lasting peace. Can we afford not to help?
According to my friends there are approximately 15 million youth into college aged people residing in Afghanistan at this time. Where some manufacturers may only see those numbers as problematic there must also be others who see it as an opportunity. This is a win-win situation for all parties involved. Therefore, perhaps the best guess on which way to proceed may be slightly dependant on the cost, but if there are any willing participants, and this could also be a collaborative effort between multiple companies or manufacturers—even multiple countries. Put your heads together and give this prospect some serious consideration. I am sure you will not be sorry!
For more information about this wonderful Christmas gift for the people of Afghanistan please contact me at malsburymichelle@yahoo.com. I will put you in contact with the people I know in Afghanistan to help see this gift to fruition.
My heart goes out to the people in Afghanistan who have to live with the threat of death daily. Each day they venture out of their homes may indeed be their last. People in America do not know how lucky they are that there is not a war going on within our borders, that we do not see the minutiae of war in our daily lives. Technology has made the world smaller and more connected than ever before. News from across the globe travels at nearly the speed of light. We now use satellite images to run our military skirmishes against the Al Qaeda in hopes of gaining ground.
As we improve upon the latest and greatest there is a surplus of old, but not necessarily outdated, equipment that sorely needs a home. There have been some efforts at recycling, but most have not had the desired effects. And there is also concern for toxicity from certain components. What I propose and my comrades in this discussion group would like to see happen is that we fix up those machines [computers] that have been traded in or tossed out to make room for the new breeds and send them to the youth of Afghanistan. This prospect would serve the double purpose of not seeing them clutter up a landfill and would provide useful tools in learning and educating the youth, up to college, in Afghanistan. Education is a key to understanding the people of the world and a very credible way to win their hearts and minds. So why not give this a try?
If memory serves me Apple, Dell, IBM or one of the other big computer manufacturers did a similar project in Africa and/or South America. In that instance, these were new $200 dollar computers specially manufactured for this purpose. They were used in the schools and given out to the children. That was a wonderful way to expand and introduce the use of technology and the internet, and to increase the amount of information to the students/children who need it most. Whether new or refurbished old it is a wonderful way to give back to the world community and help those who desperately need this gift.
We may have a hard time engaging the elder population is such things, but the youth are eager and hungry to learn. They want to know about the world outside of their borders. The more they learn the less they have to fear. The more educated and informed they are the better decisions they can make. Their educated and informed decisions can help shape the direction of their government and their own futures. Their educated and informed decisions can help broker a durable and lasting peace. Can we afford not to help?
According to my friends there are approximately 15 million youth into college aged people residing in Afghanistan at this time. Where some manufacturers may only see those numbers as problematic there must also be others who see it as an opportunity. This is a win-win situation for all parties involved. Therefore, perhaps the best guess on which way to proceed may be slightly dependant on the cost, but if there are any willing participants, and this could also be a collaborative effort between multiple companies or manufacturers—even multiple countries. Put your heads together and give this prospect some serious consideration. I am sure you will not be sorry!
For more information about this wonderful Christmas gift for the people of Afghanistan please contact me at malsburymichelle@yahoo.com. I will put you in contact with the people I know in Afghanistan to help see this gift to fruition.
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