The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, which develops low-cost education-oriented mobile computers to sell to governments in developing countries, has donated 5,000 units of its flagship XO laptop to Palestinian children in the Gaza strip.

According to the Journal of New England Technology, OLPC has given the Linux-based laptops to the United Nations Relief Workers Agency (UNRWA) so that they can be distributed to young refugees who are attending UNRWA schools. The move is a generous one, especially since the OLPC group is currently facing serious financial challenges.

OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte announced a major change in direction this month when he revealed that the organization was downsizing half of its staff and significantly scaling back its software development efforts. Along with these cuts, Negroponte said that the organization would be increasing its activity in the Middle East and renewing its focus on delivering its next-generation product. The organization's charitable move in the Gaza strip appears to be the first sign of its stronger emphasis on the Middle East.

The OLPC project is currently in a very weak position. The organization has suffered numerous setbacks and has become mired in internal disputes that leave little hope for its future. Despite its declining viability, OLPC is clearly still determined to do some good. It is still unclear whether the latest reorganization attempt will ultimately be able to put OLPC back on track.

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