Fearon Community in Clarendon gets Community Centre
By: , January 25, 2014The Key Point:
Photo: Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell left), cuts the ribbon to open the Fearon Community Home Work and Computer Centre, in North West Clarendon, on January 23. Others from second left) are Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill; Project Administrator at the Centre, Maxine Gayle; Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund, Mr. Hugh Cross and Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, Hon. Richard Azan.
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (left), cuts the ribbon to open the Fearon Community Home Work and Computer Centre, in North West Clarendon, on January 23.The Facts
- “We need to bring them in to show them the technology, and to transform their lives,” the Minister said.
- Project Administrator at the centre, Maxine Gayle, said that training in basic computing will be offered, and it will be open every day.
The Full Story
The Fearon community in North West Clarendon now has a computer centre, which will be used for training and the provision of Internet and printing services.
The facility, funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF), and called the Fearon Community Home Work and Computer Centre, is housed at the Church of God in Christ. It was set up at a cost of $2 million, and boasts 10 computers and other gadgets.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening on January 23, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said the Government’s policy is to bring full Internet service and the necessary devices to all communities, so that people can benefit from advanced technology.
He urged the community leaders to ensure that young people utilize the facility for educational purposes. “We need to bring them in to show them the technology, and to transform their lives,” the Minister said.
“We have invested heavily in the post offices, in the libraries and in our schools, because that is where technology can have the most positive impact on our people. All our secondary schools now have computer labs, over two hundred of them,” Mr. Paulwell informed.
Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, Hon. Richard Azan, commended the church for making the space available to house the centre.
“It is a good investment for the church to put up the building, and for the community to use it. The investment is for everyone…we are asking every member of this community to protect what we have here. The Fund should not be coming back to Fearon to replace anything, they should be looking at other communities to do something like this. It is our responsibility to protect it,” Mr. Azan emphasized.
Project Administrator at the centre, Maxine Gayle, said that training in basic computing will be offered, and it will be open every day.
“I am thankful to members of the community for entrusting their children in our care, and endorsing our project. We pray that God will continue to bless this centre, as we strive assiduously to promote knowledge and education through technology,” she said.