Global Playground Improving Students' Access to Technology Around the World

Recently, Global Playground has contributed a total of 17 new computers to Project Cambodia, Project Honduras, and Project Thailand, all for student use. This represents a very important step toward Global Playground's goal of utilizing Internet technology to allow students across the globe to communicate and share information with each other.

These computers are another step toward truly building a "global playground," where students from Asia, Africa and Latin America use the Internet to communicate and build friendships with each other, as well as with students in the U.S. The recent arrival of new computers at Projects Cambodia and Thailand is timely, as Project Honduras opened on May 28th.

Global Playground's donation of computers has not only increased student access to new technology and learning opportunities; it has helped create an exciting and safe learning environment for students who previously did not have one. The Huay Puung Mai School in the Mae Hong Song province of northern Thailand, also known as Project Thailand, is but one example. Five of Project Thailand's computers were contributed to this school's library. Thai students immediately engaged with the new technology, as the school was already wired for Internet access. During June, students from Honduras and Thailand will begin to communicate with each other as well as with students in the U.S. as a result of this technology.

In addition to providing computers for Project Thailand, Global Playground also financed computer software; contributed books for the library; provided a backup generator to ensure a reliable source of electricity; and provided a more secure library door to improve secure access to the computers. Furthermore, a cement walkway was built to cut down on dust and prolong the life of the computers.

Global Playground has financed computers at these project sites to help foster intercultural communication and learning between students around the world. As Global Playground Chairman Doug Bunch explained, "we knew that putting project sites in touch with each other would be critical to fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogue among children in those countries."