[TriLUG] Helping Refugees With Linux

[Scott Sexton via TriLUG]

Someone in my neighborhood has been asking for donations for refugee
families that live in and around Raleigh. Recently I offered my IT
expertise in cleaning up and getting an OS set up for any donated computers
or laptops.

I was thinking why not do some Linux evangelism and load them up with a
stable, easy distro. If I were to do this,  could you fine folk offer
advice on any potential pitfalls or recommended distro's to try?

As for pitfalls, the only thing I'm unsure about is language barriers. I'm
guessing Linux supports Middle Eastern languages, but I've never had to
mess with language settings in any of the DE's.

As for a distro to use, I was thinking Linux Mint or Elementary.

Another thought I had...  I'm betting these refugee families have no
internet access. I imagine having the internet would be a huge help with
learning English, job hunting and with kids school work.  I wonder if Time
Warner, AT&T and other providers of wireless hotspots would allow the MAC
addresses of computers donated to refugee families free access?  If anyone
knows of any contacts within TWC or AT&T who might could answer that, could
you introduce me?

So, I will greatly appreciate any insight or advice for any of the above!

Thanks all,

Scott Sexton