Google Grant Supplies 25,000 Chromebooks for Refugees in Germany

Summary: A $5.3 million Google grant supplies 25,000 Chromebooks for refugees in Germany, according to Google's Official Blog announcement Jan. 25.

Google launched Chromebook in 2011 as a laptop/notebook platform running on ChromeOS, a Google-developed operating system.: Reynosa Blogs, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

A $5.3 million Google grant supplies 25,000 Chromebooks for refugees in Germany via NetHope Inc., a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in McLean, Virginia, according to an announcement posted Jan. 25, 2016, on Google’s Official Blog by Jacquelline Fuller, director of Google.org.

Jacquelline Fuller’s announcement opens with a profile of Ahmed, a Syrian refugee. In 2015, the economics student leaves his war-torn homeland and settles in Germany. Building a better future in the European country requires more than access to care, food and shelter. Ahmed also needs to learn German and to become familiar with the country where he hopes to become a teacher.

“Last fall, we shared how we’re supporting organizations on the frontline of providing essential humanitarian relief support. But we also wanted to do something to help with refugees’ long-term challenges, such as the need for access to information and education,” Fuller explains. “So today, we’re making a $5.3 million Google.org grant to support the launch of Project Reconnect, a program by NetHope to equip nonprofits working with refugees in Germany with Chromebooks, in order to facilitate easier access to education for refugees like Ahmed.”

Google’s $5.3 million grant supports the launch of Project Reconnect, NetHope’s initiative to provide 25,000 Chromebooks to nonprofit organizations working with refugees in Germany.

“Refugee adults and children have real challenges with learning a new language and getting education and employment opportunities. Google.org is helping us make a difference by supporting Project Reconnect,” notes Frank Schott, managing director of global programs at NetHope, in NetHope Blog’s posting on Jan. 27, 2016.

Each selected nonprofit is eligible to receive a maximum donation of 5,000 Chromebooks. The Chromebooks are expected to provide access to communication tools as well as education and support resources. Availability of remote configuration via cloud management encourages wide deployment at a number of sites.

The donated Chrome OS laptops allow for programming situation-specific content. “For example, they can run an educational game for children, a language course for younger adults or even feature information about the asylum application process on a pre-installed homepage,” suggests Jacquelline Fuller in her blogged announcement that the awarded $5.3 million Google grant supplies 25,000 Chromebooks for refugees in Germany via NetHope.

The NetHope Blog directs interested nonprofits to their Project Reconnect website (reconnect.nethope.org) for application and selection criteria details. Deadlines for the projects first two phases are Feb. 8 and March 8. Successful applicants are to be notified between Feb. 22 and 26 and between March 21 and 25. Chromebooks may be claimed as of March 1 and as of March 28.

The project’s third phase allows grantees to apply for additional Chromebooks in order to expand the reach of their projects.

Jacquelline Fuller’s blogged announcement that a $5.3 million Google grant supplies 25,000 Chromebooks for refugees in Germany via NetHope expresses hope for success beyond the immediate parameters of Chromebook-based learning.

“Many organizations and their staff are doing incredible work in very difficult circumstances to help with this crisis. We hope that by supporting these nonprofits, we can help people like Ahmed on the next step of their journey,” Fuller closes hopefully.

Project Reconnect values Google Chromebooks for variety of scenarios, such as Internet cafés, education settings or youth programs: NetHope @NetHope_org, via TwitterJan. 25, 2016

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Google launched Chromebook in 2011 as a laptop/notebook platform running on ChromeOS, a Google-developed operating system.: Reynosa Blogs, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/bloggers/12346384293/

Project Reconnect values Google Chromebooks for variety of scenarios, such as Internet cafés, education settings or youth programs: NetHope‏ @NetHope_org, via Twitter Jan. 25, 2016, @ https://twitter.com/NetHope_org/status/691639934298386432

For further information:

Fleischmann, Sybille. "Project Reconnect: Re-Imaginging What's Possible." NetHope Blog. Jan. 27, 2016.
Available @ http://nethope.org/2016/01/27/project-reconnect-re-imagining-whats-possible/

Fuller, Jacquelline. "Helping refugees access education and information." Official Google Blog. Jan. 25, 2016.
Available @ https://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/refugees-education-chromebooks.html

Modern Wall Street. "Google Donates $5.3 Million in Chromebooks for Refugees." YouTube. Jan. 25, 2016.
Available @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDIdQEy76cA

NetHope‏ @NetHope_org. "Thanks @Googleorg! Project #Reconnect gives Chromebooks to orgs serving refugees in Germany." Jan. 25, 2016.
Available @ https://twitter.com/NetHope_org/status/691639934298386432

Varagur, Krithika. "Google Donated 25,000 Laptops To Help Refugees Get Fresh Start." Huffington Post > What's Working. Jan. 25, 2016. Updated Jan. 27, 2016.
Available @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/google-donates-laptops-refugees_us_56a666b6e4b0404eb8f265ac?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular