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A Digital Divide Success Story

Posted on: October 12, 2017

Category Education | Youth Programs

Many school children in Appalachia live with no computer and broadband internet access at home.
 
That means that low-income students without computers cannot do their homework. They cannot conduct research for school projects. They cannot email their teachers if they have a question or need guidance. They cannot do their assignments when school isn’t in session.
 
In fact, they are on the wrong side of what is known as the “digital divide.”
 
In 2016, thanks to our supporters, we took the first steps towards bridging that divide.
 
Working with our partner the Lee County Family Resource Center (LCFRC) in Beattyville, Kentucky, 24 children at Beattyville Elementary School received an all-in-one desktop computer. The school also worked with AT&T to provide their families with low-cost broadband internet service.
 
Kelsey, a 5th grader, and her brother, Eric, who just started first grade, were among the students who received a computer last year. Kelsey was able to use the computer to conduct research for a school project on how Native Americans lived.
 
“They had a wonderful project,” reported LCFRC director Sherry Lanham.
 
The program has been such a success thus far. Our goal is to equip another 30 Beattyville students before the end of 2017.

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