Have you heard about the XO laptop? It's a laptop computer designed for kids in developing countries. It can withstand extreme conditions like high heat and humidity and is an amazing learning tool for children in need. The laptop has a wireless network that lets children "connect, chat, share information on the Web, gather by videoconference, make music together, edit texts, read e-books, and enjoy the use of collaborative games online." Pretty cool huh?

OLPC’s mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education. While children are by nature eager for knowledge, many countries have insufficient resources to devote to education—sometimes less than $20 per year per child (compared to an average of $7,500 in the United States). By giving children their very own connected XO laptop, we are giving them a window to the outside world, access to vast amounts of information, a way to connect with each other, and a springboard into their future. And we’re also helping these countries develop an essential resource—educated, empowered children.

It sounds like a great program and right now they are offering a Give One, Get One program. You can purchase one of these for a child in your life and they will also send one to a child in a developing country. So, while you're getting your Christmas shopping out of the way you can also be helping improve the opportunities of children around the world.

Sounds like a good deal all the way around.