Does she have internet at home?

@leslie110 ..yes..her mom has a computer..but won't let her use it..I think I said they didn't have one..but the mother does..the girl has a brother..and neither are allowed on it.

They CAN work, but just creating a page and expecting people to find it will leave you disappointed. If you really want it to work then you will have to promote it to a large number of friends, either people you know personally or a community you actively participate in online. Additionally, people will be more likely to donate if it's a legitimate need with proof to back it up. If your description of the cause leaves too many questions, or the personal details are just too personal, then don't expect to reach your goal.My advice would be not to bother unless you already know a lot of caring people, or you're willing and able to fund most of it yourself. Just based on the description you've given, since it's a secret I assume you're not going to put a picture of her up there (that would help tremendously), and it sounds like there are a lot of questions you probably can't answer. Why she isn't allowed to use her home computer, for example...That's my outlook on it anyway, for what it's worth. On other hand, maybe someone here has a spare laptop laying around and they'd be willing to hand it over no questions asked? Who knows.

@tapeworm :
Unfortunately, not being able to use the home computer is a challenge for many students especially in 8th grade and beyond. That is due to a number of reasons, real or imaginary in the parents mind. The parents might have something on there they dont want the kids to see such as medical, financial etc. etc. The parents might not be totally computer literate and think their children will damage the computer.This problem is most acute in lower income households where a child is extremely bright and curious about the world around them. Parents have reported more than once in parent teacher conferences that they are terribly afraid of being left behind or alone in the world if the children get too much knowledge in the world and try to advance themselves. On the personal statements for college admissions it is extremely common to see variations of this theme every year.

The people I have seen use those pages successfully (somewhat) have been for catastrophic events, like a child's unexpected death/funeral. And even then, it takes an entire community knowing the victim of the catastrophe in order to make it work, or sensational marketing. Just keeping it real.Here's what I would suggest: see if you can talk to the Principal of this girl's high school. Tell this person what it is you'd like to do. That person would know resources to help you accomplish what you want to do. It also may be that her school has issued her a laptop already, and something has happened to it. The Principal will be able to let you know if students at that school have been issued laptops.Hope this helps!

@billybob :That's just scary, and sounds like child abuse.

I'm not sure that enough people will agree that a high schooler needs a $500 laptop. There are many inexpensive, basic versions that would be great to meet the needs of writing school papers and browsing the internet. I just got one awhile back for under $200 and I love it. The one linked below is rated very highly and similar to what I purchased. www.pcmag.com/review /346334/dell-inspiro n-11-3000-series-316 2

Here are a few sites that specifically help to connect low income students with computers and/or internet access. everyoneon.org/connectall.org/www.withcauses.org/a skforhelp.htm

@lanestar7 .. I didn't say that she needed a $500 laptop..I said that is what she saved for one..then had to spend in on car repairs..I know there are cheaper ones out there..

@QuispNQuake ....No her school has not issued her one...

Would this be a solution? www.retro-tech.org/p lacements.html

@RambleOn Retro Tech will be closing September 1stHalf off marked price on all merchandise

@craftywoman :So then would you have made a donation page for only $200? I don't think Go Fund Me pages for non-essential, luxury items are successful which is what you asked in your initial post. Especially not if you mention her mother has a computer but is "too mean" and the girl herself owns a car which is another luxury item for a kid in high school.