Dear Members of NanoXchange.com,

Can you imagine our world today without technology? For most of us it is hard to imagine. And yet many people still do not have access to even the simplest technology. At Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, we are engaged in making sure that children living in the poorest and most remote areas of the globe have access to information and resources that will help them understand and be part of a world that has been, and will continue to be, shaped by scientific developments like nanotechnology. You are involved with a technology and a science that hold the promise of making a positive difference in all of our lives.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charitable organization that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications, Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the private and public sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology project serving populations left out of the information age.

DCGEF’s “Learning Center” project is a locally-managed and locally-adapted initiative established in existing schools or community centers – or in the remotest areas on a donkey-drawn cart. The project involves technology (television, video and satellite) that is sustainable even in isolated areas, long-term training and access to video programming from a wide array of sources. The Learning Center becomes a versatile media hub that serves school children and teachers as well as the broader community, offering information ranging from science and technology to history and culture, skills training to literacy workshops to HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues. The project is enthusiastically approved by the Ministry of Education in every country where we work.

Through our relationship with NanoXchange DCGEF offers an opportunity for those of you on the cutting-edge of technology to bring new educational opportunities to disadvantaged populations - through the use of technology. You have the potential to change the world through your research and discoveries, and you have the same potential to change the lives of children – in the most under-resourced areas of the world – by helping them have access to information and educational opportunities through television, often the only practical and sustainable technology in their community at this time. Think about how this technology can help create a bridge for them not only to the world, but the future of technology in their lives.
There a many ways the nano-tech industry could make a positive difference in the lives of the children in partnership with DCGEF. For example, you could

- collectively “adopt” schools in specific regions by establishing Learning Centers and bringing to the community all the resources and long-term training that come with the initiative
- donate additional equipment and educational resources so badly needed, with the knowledge that DCGEF would ensure their safe and effective implementation
- visit the rural Learning Centers and use your expertise to teach the children, as well as provide information and support for teachers often ill-prepared to teach science and technology
- supply ideas and content for new educational videos; there is an enormous hunger for better resources and training in the areas of science and math, and videos on these subjects are at the top of the wish list we solicit from the schools
- set up a pen pal relationship between individuals or companies, and a class at a particular school ; scientists and professors could offer information and encouragement
- … and more!

Over the past five years, DCGEF has established 139 Learning Centers in under-resourced schools in nine countries (Angola, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe). The project is currently reaching over 255,000 children plus their communities. Its long-term sustainability and positive impact were recently confirmed by an independent evaluation – and now we are committed to bringing the project to scale and attaining our near term goal of reaching one million children by 2005.

Your involvement will help us reach more children around the world with the life-changing benefits of education and technology! (our goal!)

Best regards,

Gail Ifshin, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Discovery Channel Global Education Fund