Popular American TV host and comedian, Steve Harvey, through The Steve and Marjorie Foundation has donated US$15,000 that will go towards purchasing computer devices for Jamaican children.
The donation was made to the ‘Connect A Child’ Initiative in Jamaica and will help to bridge the digital divide for many Jamaican children who are unable to access virtual classes due to the lack of remote learning tools.
The ‘Connect A Child’ initiative is a collaborative effort of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, NCB Foundation, Jamaica Stock Exchange, National Education Trust and Junior Achievement Jamaica to support the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s ‘One Laptop or Tablet per Child’ Initiative.
The donation by Steve and Marjorie Foundation will help to purchase 100 tablets for Jamaican students.
“We are thrilled with this donation from The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation and grateful for the support of the Jamaican Consul General in New York, Mrs Alsion Wilson who made the connection,” said PSOJ Executive Director Imega Breese McNab in expressing gratitude for the contribution.
“This contribution will help us to advance our goal of ensuring that our children are able to engage in online learning and reduce the learning loss being experienced across the island.”
The JSSE also thanked The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation for answering the call.
“Such an act of generosity extended to the needs of Jamaican children is a welcoming reminder that kindness knows no borders. We are delighted to see that they believe in our mission and so has helped to alleviate the challenges of some of our most needy children,”said JSSE Manager Nora Blake.
“Our hope is that other local and international celebrities will take a cue from Steve Harvey and reach out to the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange.”
In October 2020, the Jamaican government launched the ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ program, which aims to provide needy students with the requisite tools to function in the online teaching and learning environment.
