The United Arab Emirates donated up to $1 million for Joplin Schools' laptop initiative.
A Persian Gulf nation has pledged up to $1 million for Joplin Schools in the wake of the May 22 tornado.
The United Arab Emirates donated $500,000 to go to the school district's $2.7 million “One-to-One” laptop initiative. They've also promised to match up to $500,000 in a challenge grant.
The district's Bright Futures foundation is working to rebuild Joplin's schools. The “One-to-One” initiative aims to provide all 2,200 Joplin High School students with a personal laptop to help them learn in virtual classrooms while Joplin's only high school is being rebuilt.
“We are so fortunate to have the support from the UAE Embassy. This donation will help us reach our One-to-One Laptop Initiative goal and provide a truly interactive learning experience for our high school students,” Dr. C.J. Huff, Superintendent of Joplin Schools said in a post on Bright Future's Facebook page. “This contribution will not only provide technology to Joplin High School, but also help prepare our students for 21st Century jobs.”
The high school was one of three Joplin Schools facilities that were destroyed by the tornado. Personal laptops allow faculty to be able to deliver curriculum as students are housed in a variety of locations while the district rebuilds schools.
“The entire world was touched by the devastation caused in Joplin by the May 22 tornado. Given the scale of the disaster, including the destruction of the community’s only high school, we felt it was important to provide assistance,” said Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S. “The One-to-One initiative is a truly innovative idea that will not only give current students the tools they need to start the school year, but position future Joplin Schools students on the cutting-edge of learning.”
For anyone interested in helping to meet the UAE Embassy’s matching challenge grant for the One-to-One initiative by August 17th, please contact Kim Vann at 417-625-5202.
Are you happy to see other countries helping in the United States since we send so much money overseas?
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