Reading Owls International (ROI), an educational grassroots organization working to improve educational outcomes and advance equity in education for Jamaican students, recently donated JMD $3.2 million (US$21,500) to the Jamaican Consulate General in New York in support of the Consulate’s “A Device for Every Child: Bridging the Digital Divide” drive. This endeavor aims to connect remote learners and schools to
digital learning resources, a technology deficiency exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recently announced investment, during a handover ceremony held on May 27th, is part of an overall donation of JMD $3.42 million (US$23,129) and includes 215 tablets, a laptop and supplemental technological resources. The devices will be distributed to five schools selected by ROI after a thorough needs assessments process to ensure equitable access to devices for students and families with the most need.
“Integrating technology into the curriculum spotlights our goal of providing direct access to resources to aid better learning outcomes for students” says Easton Dickson, Co-Founder of Reading Owls. “It also advances one of our key strategic priorities for 2021. One of the major lessons COVID-19 has taught all of us is that having access to connected devices is pivotal to success. We are so grateful to our donors and for the leadership of Mrs. Alsion Roach Wilson, Consul General of Jamaica, NY, for her role in prioritizing this initiative and engaging logistics partners to get tablets in the hands of underserved students.”
“I am exceedingly happy to partner with Reading Owls International on our Tablet and Laptop Initiative and wish to commend them for making the right choice in investing in our students’ future. Over two hundred students in Jamaica will now have the opportunity to remain engaged in the virtual classroom setting. This is a feat that is jointly celebrated as we continue to work towards ensuring that no student is ever left behind,” the Consul General remarked.
All donated items are expected to arrive in Jamaica over the next few weeks and will be received by the National Education Trust on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
About
Reading Owls International is a publicly supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partnering with Jamaican educators who share our passion and vision for improving literacy. Reading Owls imagines a world where every child has the resources to succeed. To learn more about A Device for Every Child, visit www.congenjamaica ny.org. For more information about our work, visit www.readingowlsinternational.org.
