VOF Assignment 1

I readily admit to being a tech geek; in fact for years my friends and colleagues would call me the gadget grrl because I loved to purchase the newest technology gadgets, learn how to use them and have everyone else learn as well. Technology, especially Web 2.0, has changed the way the world lives and has definitively changed the state of global education. One of the biggest concerns that I personally have is the continued expanse of the digital divide; the haves (largely in developed countries) have access to technology whereas the have nots are left in digital darkness. This divide does not only exist in developing countries, it exists here in the United States. Every semester I find more and more students who are unable to afford a computer or Internet access - this causes them to be left at the mercy of the computer room hours or a friend's offer of assistance. Unfortunately many of these students are young females who are single mothers; their situation has left them with little in the way of finances and while they are trying to better themselves they are left without access to the very technology they need to gain better jobs and security. Clearly technology can empower women by allowing them to further their education, gain important skills that will lead to jobs and self-improvement and allow for access to important information. However, the reality is that many women do not have access to technology and accordingly find themselves \"left behind.\" In order for technology to change the lives of women, one must have access to it. Recently, I along with two colleagues founded WRITE Educational Foundation with the mission of \"dumping the digital divide\" across the globe. How? Simply by taking old computers which people discard, recycling them and disseminating them to people in need. Easy right? Let's take technolgy and use it for true change by insuring that all can gain the skills and information they need.