Digicel donates computers to JFLL

Last Thursday, the Digicel Foundation handed over the first tranche of 237 desktops and 40 laptops to the JFLL. The JFLL is the agency of the Ministry of Education charged with delivering lifelong-learning interventions from basic to secondary-level literacy.

The donation of computers is part of a US$200,000 commitment by the Digicel Foundation for the purchase of some 400 desktops and 80 laptops for distribution to various educational centres over a two-year period. A full one-year warranty is also included and a School of the Year Enrichment Centre Award, which is awarded based on a selection done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

In his welcome, Digicel CEO Mark Linehan affirmed that the Digicel Foundation had completed 213 projects, impacting two million lives across the island.

"Having adequate skills and basic proficiency in programmes like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint are tools with which everybody needs to work effectively and efficiently in the corporate world," remarked chair of the Digicel Foundation, Lisa Lewis. According to her, the foundation is dedicated to improving literacy in Jamaica, pointing to the organisation's sponsorship of the Ministry of Education's Enrichment Centre Initiative, which is aiming to achieve 100 per cent literacy in schools by 2015.

improving literacy rate

Ms Lewis explained that schools are selected for assistance based on the need for improving their literacy rate. She said the foundation is in the process of spreading its intervention to more rural schools.

Citing a quote from National Hero Marcus Garvey, Lewis emphasised that "education is the medium by which people are prepared for the creation of their own particular civilisation and advancement and glory of their own race".

The executive director of JFLL, Dr Allison Cross, welcomed the support of the Digicel Foundation in assisting the agency to fulfil its mandate. She said the donation of the computers and e-learning software will not only assist in the learning process, but also in enabling students to become critical thinkers.

"Literacy in the 21st century is not just about decoding, but comprehending. Every student must be able to think critically, to be effective problem solvers and be globally, financially and economically aware. They must be able to read the world," Cross stated.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Audrey Sewell, commended the organisation for recognising the importance of literacy and numeracy to the development of the country. "Digicel has positioned itself as a key stakeholder to assist in education in times of financial difficulty and I appeal to others to take a page out of Digicel's book because Jamaica and our children need you," she implored. "You have aligned your programme to support our objectives and your programmes have reached our most needy students. We can't fix the problem alone, we have to depend on the help of our corporate partners," Sewell noted.

Chief executive officer of Anbell and representative for Digicel dealers, Andrew Pairman agreed. "Every business, especially in the last two years, has been going through tough times. But even through these difficult times, we should be making more of an effort to give back to our communities," he said.

The computers were sourced from the CAMARA Foundation, which is a multinational non-profit organisation that repairs and refurbishes used computers for redistribution into educational facilities throughout the island. It also offers training in computer repairs and use to volunteers. The computers are to be installed in 30 of JFLL's adult education centres across the island.