A TOTAL of 1,398 computers have been distributed to single parents, disabled persons and low-income earners across the Essequibo Coast, so far, under the Government of Guyana One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme. Community Liaison Officer in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Ms. Darshani Lall said the distribution exercise started in the second week of November and continued through December 2011.
She said 65 per cent of 902 of the recipients have completed their 10 hours compulsory training at the eight identified hubs.
According to her, some of the trainees will be involved in community projects where they will repaint pedestrian crossings on the main public road and bus sheds and others in distributing Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) text books to secondary schools.
Lall also disclosed that verification officers are in the field interviewing applicants for the next phase of the disbursement and the process is also taking place in the lower and upper Pomeroon River and in Amerindian communities in the region.
She said two trainers are placed at each hub, located at Charity Secondary School; Maranatha Assemblies of God Church;  Bounty Hall; the Essequibo Technical Institute; the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS); Total Solution Internet Café; Affiance; the Queenstown Development Association Office; and the Abram Zuil and Aurora Secondary Schools.
Essequibians, who have received the laptops, said they are thankful to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and especially the mastermind of the project, former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Some poor Essequibians, who are now owners of computers, said, without the PPP/C Government, they could have never dreamed or imagined such ownership.
They also praised the Government for providing training so they can learn to operate the computers and know about the Internet and the various uses.