MIAMI – Students at three primary schools in Jamaica will receive gifts of educational material including computers, printers and supplies from two Jamaican educators, residents of South Florida who begin a one-week visit to Jamaica today (Mar. 3).
Both educators, Dr. Rupert Rhodd and Dr. Sandra Schroeder, are faculty members at the Florida Atlantic University campus in Davie.
They will deliver their gifts to students at Coke’s View Primary School in Westmoreland, Ocho Rios Primary in St. Ann and Belle Castle Primary in Portland. They will also spend time with the students at the schools assisting in installation of the equipment and software, as well as provide basic training sessions to the students.
Dr. Rhodd attended the Coke’s View Primary while Dr. Schroeder was a student at Belle Castle Primary.
This will bring to seven a total of computers shipped to Coke’s View Primary by the two volunteers.
This is the fourth annual effort of the two volunteers who, so far, have visited schools in other parishes throughout the island as part of their project to assist students at elementary and basic educational institutions.
According to Dr. Rhodd, each year, the two educators formulate a strategy deciding which schools are to be visited by selecting the areas of need, followed by purchasing items and prepare for shipping to the designated institutions from their own personal budget.
In an interview with JIS News, Dr. Rhodd passionately spoke of ‘the importance of giving back’ to primary and elementary institutions as he prepares for his yearly trek to fulfill an area of need in his homeland.
While alumni groups were established with the primary objective to assist high schools and tertiary institutions, Dr. Rhodd reminded others of the significance of elementary schools in preparing us for our basic educational foundation.
Dr. Rhodd is also a member of the Wolmer’s Alumni Association, South Florida chapter.
