St Andrew Care Centre gets computers
Published:Monday | April 29, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
American Friends of Jamaica, Inc (AFJ) and the St Andrew Care Centre (SACC) recently unveiled a newly constructed computer lab equipped with six brand new Dell computers, printer, scanner, and a surveillance system with technology solutions provided by Teens for Technology.
The SACC is a non-governmental, non-profitable organisation located at 1 Ambrook Lane, Kingston, that can accommodate up to 30 students on a rotating schedule and will be an interactive, web-based educational centre for at-risk street boys.
The centre offers a programme to rehabilitate street and at-risk boys between the ages of 10 and 15 years. The goal is to reintegrate them into society to become productive and positive contributors through resocialisation, education, rehabilitation from drugs, and the provision of income-earning opportunities.
According to Milverton Reynolds, chairman of the SACC, the computer lab is only the latest manifestation of the support the AFJ has extended to the centre.
Improve quality of life
"The AFJ's donation of a fully furnished computer lab will improve the quality of life for the boys. Rather than simply giving each boy a fish every day, the SACC aims to teach each boy to fish, thereby preparing him for manhood, a life of purpose, and fulfilment, and to become a citizen prepared to play his part in the Jamaican society," Reynolds said.
While expressing thanks on behalf of the SACC and the boys who will benefit from the AFJ's generosity, Reynolds stated that the donation was a godsend to the organisation. "The computer is a wonderful learning tool and the boys will be exposed to a lot of opportunities that are available for them. They will learn to read and write better, that will lead to an improvement in their attitudes, behaviour and deportment and increased school attendance," Reynolds said.
AFJ president, Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, said they wanted to ensure that students have access to the technology that is critical to the way we communicate in the 21st century. "Access to technology is critical to the success of children and families. The AFJ is delighted to have the support of the Anschutz Foundation to strengthen our capacity to serve Jamaicans in need," Johnson said.
"The AFJ continues to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. We are happy to be part of this important project that has been facilitated through a partnership with Teens for Technology (TFT)," said Executive Director Caron Chung.
Meanwhile, according to Mark Jones, TFT is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to help children in developing countries acquire technological skills and training. "Becoming proficient with technology is really a passport in today's world. These boys can acquire computer skills and transition from the label of being at risk to being productive and contributing members of society," Jones said.
Norma Gaynor-Rhoden, manager for the SACC, said they are expecting a "Bill Gates" to come from the centre. "The computers will be used as a teaching aid for them. Many of the boys are academically challenged and they learn better when they can see things. Young people, in general have an appetite for technology and they need to be able to fit into society. If they are engaged in something tangible, it helps to calm their behaviour," Rhoden said.