I heard Dengue Fever on Fresh Air with Terry Gross yesterday. A substantial number of people whom I am working with would like to help DF in their quest to revive the pre-Khmer Rouge musical culture of Cambodia, and create a new generation of accomplished and vital musicians in Cambodia.<br>
<br>I volunteer with One Laptop Per Child (<a href="http://laptop.org">http://laptop.org</a>), which has just started development of a Khmer-language version of its XO laptop software for distribution in Cambodia. (<a href="http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Khmer">http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Khmer</a>) The software includes a suite of music software that supports children choosing instruments on their laptops and playing together over the wireless network that joins them. (<a href="http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Activties">http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Activties</a>) Donors in the Give One Get One program (<a href="http://wiki.laptop.org/go/G1G1">http://wiki.laptop.org/go/G1G1</a>) have purchased more than 10,000 computers for Cambodian schoolchildren.<br>
<br>Also, I am Founder and CEO of Earth Treasury, which seeks to connect schools around the world and to teach the students how to create sustainable international businesses together. Music is one of our target market segments, where we intend not only to create global collaborations, distribution, touring opportunities, and the like, but to teach up-and-coming musicians how to thrive without falling into the clutches of rapacious media companies. I am delighted to see that M80 Gets It, and is allowing free downloads of some of DFs music.<br>
<br>I would like to invite you to join with OLPC, Earth Treasury, several other NGOs, and a number of musicians in various countries to make more of this happen sooner. Please pass this on to the band. I will be happy to answer any questions you or they have.<br clear="all">
<br>-- <br>Edward Cherlin<br>End Poverty at a Profit by teaching children business<br><a href="http://www.EarthTreasury.org/">http://www.EarthTreasury.org/</a><br>"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."--Alan Kay