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A NEW CHAPTER: Fannie Knight (centre), Superintendent and Director of the Board for
the Jamaica Christian Boys’ Home, cuts the ribbon at the GTECH Jamaica After
School Advantage Programme Handing Over Ceremony on October 12, 2012. Assisting
Ms. Knight, is Ann- Dawn Young Sang (left), GTECH Corporation’s Regional
General Manager for the Caribbean and cheering her on is Debbie Green (right),
Deputy General Manager of GTECH Jamaica. Fannie Knight officially opened the
newly refurbished computer lab at the Home, a donation provided by GTECH
Jamaica. Sponsorship of each GTECH After School Advantage Programme averages US$15,
000 (J$1.35 million) for equipment and maintenance. GTECH supports over 185
such centres globally. This is the third school in Jamaica to receive new computers from
GTECH since December 2011, with Dunrobin Primary and Holy Trinity High being
the earlier beneficiaries.
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It is the third centre to be opened by GTECH in ten months. Twenty-eight boys ages 8-18 at the Jamaica Christian Boys' Home will benefit from the donation. Most of those living in the home have either suffered some form of abuse or are orphans. "It was such a relief when GTECH found us," noted Horace Moody Manager of the Home. "The majority of the computers were non-functional. These new computers will definitely help our boys with their research and their homework, as even those at the primary level are required to do research for their classes."
On average, GTECH After School Advantage Programme invests US$15,000 (J$1.35million) to open and maintain each of the centres established. "With this programme we want to ensure that both students and teachers are constantly
provided for, and so we are fully committed to providing additional resources for the upkeep and maintenance of these labs," noted Ann-Dawn Young Sang, GTECH Corporation's Regional General Manager for the Caribbean. "We engage in regular site visits to provide software upgrades and to replace or repair damaged equipment."
In 2006, GTECH Jamaica launched an Education Assistance Programme, which provided relief to a number of basic, primary and tertiary level educational institutions. These include: Lawrence Tavern and Easington Primary Schools,
Sylvia Foote Basic School, the University of Technology, Caribbean Maritime Institute and Portmore Community College. This programme later became the GTECH After School Advantage Programme. Currently, over 185 GTECH supported After School Advantage centres operate globally.
The GTECH After School Advantage Programme was launched in Jamaica just in time for Christmas in December 2011 with the opening of a newly refurbished computer lab at Dunrobin Primary. Holy Trinity High School was also a
recipient in May of this year.
One of the primary goals of the GTECH After School Advantage Programme is to ensure that children have an organized, computer-based environment in which computer skills can be learnt and used to complete educational projects. The programme continues to operate with the aim of providing children with the necessary computer skills that are so much a part of the work world in today's society.
About GTECH Corporation
GTECH works with more than 185 After School Advantage Program centres, which successfully operate where GTECH conducts its business, and donates an average of US$ 15,000 in computer equipment, software and volunteer hours to each center. GTECH Jamaica continues to look for partners in their campaign to bring technological literacy and advancement to the country's young people.
Incorporated in 1980, GTECH Corporation is a global information technology company that provides high-performance transaction processing for some of the world's leading lottery and gaming products, including those of Supreme Ventures Ltd. here in Jamaica. GTECH Corporation is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Vicki Cann
PROComm
Email: Vicki.cann@procomm.com.jm
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