THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 11, 2025 - JANUARY 7, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FEATURE 12 THE EDUCATION sector has been gifted with more than 1,400 computer devices through the efforts of Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Alsion Roach Wilson. Among the items handed over by the consul general at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information were 1,337 tablets and 115 laptops. Portfolio minister Fayval Williams said the continuing efforts of Roach Wilson have resulted in the “flow of devices into Jamaica and into the hands of our students, through the National Education Trust”. She added that a “huge gap” still exists with schoolchildren not having the devices, and efforts will continue to equip them, while lauding the “diligence of our consul general”. The computers are part of the ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child Initiative’, instituted by the Government to promote inclusiveness in the education sector and to provide disadvantaged students with the requisite tools to actively participate in the online learning environment. Since November 2020, the consul general and a broad network of corporate friends and the Jamaican diaspora in the United States (US) have mobilised approximately $82 million in donations. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith said “friendship and compassion” have been demonstrated through the effort. “These devices will make a meaningful difference to the recipients and ensure that our young people have the tools to adjust, as we have all had to do, in light of the pandemic,” she said, adding that although many of the donors are not Jamaicans, “they are great friends and supporters of Jamaica”. SPONSORS For her part, the consul general expressed gratitude to the Jamaican diaspora and the friends of Jamaica “who have gone above and beyond to donate the resources to acquire these much-needed devices”. Among the sponsors are the Steve Harvey Foundation, the Excelsior Past Students’ Association, the New Yorkbased Monroe College, the Jamaican Organization of New Jersey, Pfizer, Caribbean Food Delights, Feurtado Shipping, Jet Blue Airways, and Bluefields Villas. “This initiative has captured the essence of what it truly means to build back stronger and has shown the tremendous love and support that exists for our nation and our people,” Roach Wilson said. “The lives of many Jamaican students have been, and will continue to be, improved by our collective efforts,” she added. Other groups that have partnered with NET to acquire devices for students under the ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child Initiative’ are the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the National Commercial Bank Foundation, Jamaica Social Stock Exchange and Junior Achievement Jamaica. New York consul general gifts over 1,400 computer devices Alsion Roach Wilson, Consul General of Jamaica in New York (centre) with Shannae Walsh, acting manager at Muirton Child Care facility (left) and Dr. Yvette Morgan, Executive Director of Team First, New York (right) at the official handover of school supplies and footwear in Portland. CONTRIBUTED CG VISITS THE HART OF CONNECTICUT. (Front Row: L-R), Corey Whyte, Vice Consul/ NY Consulate; LT Shaun Douglas, Port Operations Officer, USN; New York Consul General - Alsion Wilson, OD; Senator Delroy Williams, Mayor of Kingston; Robert Hill, CEO, Kingston; Ayanti Grant, Esq., Dist. Director, Congressman Joe Courtney Office; Aundre Bumgarner, Outreach Coordinator, CT State Treasurer’s Office. Back Row: Andrew Lawrence, Hartford; Senator Cathy Osten, D-Sprague; Xavier Chevannes, Chief Civil Engineer, Kingston; John Burt, Groton Town Manager; Keith Hedrick, Mayor - City of Groton during a visit to the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Groton, Connecticut, on December 6, 2019. CONTRIBUTED
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