MANILA, Philippines — In this digital age, computer skill is a must. Businesses rely on computers and the Internet for their transactions and records. More and more factories are digitizing their operations. In the future, it will not be surprising to see a fully-computerized world.

Knowing this, Proctor and Gamble (P&G) Philippines, together with Smart Communications and Synergeia Foundation, recently launched the e.Studyante program at the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, the first beneficiary school. The e-learning advocacy project aims to provide an elementary student one laptop with Internet connection. The project hopes to make learning fun for kids and to develop their computer skills, a necessity if the country wants to become globally-competitive.

“We hope that these child-friendly laptops would empower the country's poorest children through education. They are not only very durable and energy-efficient, they also come with learning software for kids. Through these laptops, students become more engaged and involved in school. The learning process becomes more student-focused as they learn to discover new things for themselves and share ideas with each other,” explained Chad Sotelo, P&G Country Marketing Manager.

P&G hopes that the laptops would open kids' minds to the Internet's many possibilities and encourage them to dream more. Aside from the learning tools and software similar to the Office suite, the laptops also give kids access to the wealth of ideas and information found online. They can even send emails. In fact, during the launch, the kids composed their first emails... sent to our President, P-Noy.

Around 400 laptops are set to be distributed to five schools. P&G aims to give away 1 million laptops by 2035, the company's centennial anniversary. Consumers can support the project by buying specially marked P&G promo packs.

To find out more about the e.Studyante program, visit the e.Studyante facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/e.StudyantePH