Treasure Beach gets state-of-the-art computer lab

A state-of-the-art computer laboratory was opened in Treasure Beach, in St. Elizabeth on November 18, built by the Treasure Beach Women’s Group, with funding from the Universal Access Fund (UAF).
At the opening of the facility, constructed at a cost of $2.5 million, co-founder and President of the Women’s Group, Celeste Anderson, told the gathering that it was built for the people of the area to contribute to their growth and long term development.
“The computer lab can help with literacy and reading and the numeracy skills of our community, so that more people can get jobs. This is for those who have dropped out of school, and for others who don’t have enough skills to go on to university. We hope to be the agents of change that can take them from where they are to a level where they can now get a skill and go to university,” she said.
Training will be provided at the laboratory, in conjunction with facilitators from the HEART Trust/NTA.
Manager at the Black River-based HEART Vocational Training Centre, Delmarie Rowe-Lewis, said the new facility will provide training for persons who need it.
“We want to ensure that our citizens are fully literate, and computer literate. We are in a global society driven by technology, so we embrace this vision with the Women’s Group and look forward to its success,” Mrs. Rowe-Lewis said.
Manager of the St. Elizabeth office of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Sandra Gray-Emanuel said that, “this is part of our vision to ensure that every community has access to facilities such as this one. It also speaks to an attendant vision of empowering our citizenry, hence we laud the work of the Women’s Group, as they have added to the infrastructure of this community”.
“This we believe will result in our nation moving forward – the concept of a Jamaica as a place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” the Manager said.
Young member of the Women’s Group, Debbian James, said the computer laboratory “is a great project for the Treasure Beach community”.
“It is an opportunity for persons to improve on their computer literacy skills, and for the entire community to have access to computer training,” she added.
Managing Director of the UAF, Hugh Cross, highlighted the benefits of access to the Internet, as such access facilitates business development in its widest sense, and reduces energy and transportation costs.
“It improves communication, both locally and world-wide; dramatically expands and enhances educational options, improves customer services, and generally improves the quality of life within the country,” he added.