Using a computer might be something you do all the time. But all over the world there are poor children who don't have access to computers. One woman in the United States decided to use her own money to bring computers, and the learning they offer, to kids in need. For 50 years, Estella Mims Pyform was a teacher and guidance counsellor in Florida, USA. She worked hard all her life. Her labors started from the age of six when she went out to farmers' fields with her family to harvest crops. She would gather fruits and vegetables for farmers willing to pay her family small amounts of money. The family moved from farm to farm looking for work. Even when life was tough, Estella's parents made sure that all their children went to school. All the hard work paid off and Estella earned four college degrees. And even though she made a comfortable life for herself and her family, Estella never forgot the difficult days and how it felt to be a poor child. After she retired from teaching, Estella had more time than ever to think about the poor families in her area. She saw that few of them had computer skills. This kept them from many opportunities. They couldn't find jobs or even get help to improve their lives because they didn't know how to use computers. So she spent $900,000 of her own money to have a bus built and equipped with computers and the technology to keep it all running. On most days, Estella's Brilliant Bus is driven to schools or community centers where children as young as three use a computer 45 minutes at a time to practice reading, writing and arithmetic skills. They also learn how to take tests on a computer and how to fill out applications. The idea is that these children will become comfortable using computers and will understand the knowledge and resources that can be found on the Internet. Estella hopes her Brilliant Bus will help transport some poor children to the other side of the digital divide. Learn more about Estella's Brilliant Bus at www.estellasbrilliantbus.org
