Having recently acquired Information Technology (IT) equipment that will benefit 21 Jamaican schools, members of Cornwall College Old Boys Association, Mid Atlantic chapter (CCOBAMA) will assemble with alumni of several other Jamaican schools at Lenox Road Baptist Church located at 1356 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY on Saturday February 12, 2022, at 7:00 AM, to prepare and create the IT equipment for shipping to Jamaica.
More Than 30,000 Jamaican Students to Benefit – Items to be shipped include Cisco switches, access points, desktop computers, iPads, laser printers, server racks and more. According to Neville Bell, CCOBAMA Special Projects Coordinator, “We recently acquired technological items that far exceeded the needs of our alma mater Cornwall College, so we decided to share the wealth with other Jamaican public schools. With the 21 schools we have identified for assistance, we expect more than 30,000 Jamaican students will be positively impacted.”
A Demonstration of Good Will and Collaboration
The bulk of the information technology equipment for this shipment was donated by private companies in New York and New Jersey in association with the Having P.U.R.P.O.S.E charity. Non-digital equipment, such as face shields and goggles, were donated by Cultural/Goodwill Ambassador from Saint Lucia, West Indies, Taj Weekes’ TOCO Foundation. The Sandals Foundation, affirming their longstanding commitment to the development of education of Jamaica’s youth and building the capacity of schools to close the digital divide, has pledged their support for this project. So too has the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA) on behalf of their member organizations. CCOBAMA has also been working in consultation with the National Education Trust, Ltd, e-Learning Jamaica Company Ltd., and the Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Information to ensure donated items are shipped with strict adherence to procedures and specifications in Jamaica. Sending digital equipment to Jamaican schools will have a significant impact on the blended learning format currently being used in Jamaica and it will allow these schools to better prepare for a full return to in-person learning. This effort, spearheaded by CCOBAMA and supported by so many like-minded Jamaicans living in the diaspora, is a significant example of philanthropy and collaboration during the continuing pandemic.
The assistance offered to the 21 schools extend beyond just providing the IT equipment. The CCOBAMA has also assembled a group of IT professionals in the diaspora who will lend their expertise to the schools to help in their efforts to set up robust IT infrastructures. These 2 professionals are alumni of various Jamaican high schools, including Cornwall College, Maldon and Wolmer’s High Schools.
Michael Williams grew up in Point, St. James and graduated from Cornwall College in 1989. In 2003, he relocated to the United States where I currently reside. Williams is married to one of the most beautiful Mt. Alvernia Alumni, and we’re blessed with two handsome boys ages, 15 and 12.
Williams is also President and CEO of Trilogy Entertainment LLC, based in Philadelphia and President of the Cornwall College Old Boys Association – Mid Atlantic Chapter located in Philadelphia covering members from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and Ohio.
Being in the IT/Music business for over 20yrs, he has always been driven by a desire to give back to my community and found that outlet through my Alumni Association. He believes that everyone can do something to change the trajectory of the youth and make a meaningful impact in their lives. “I will always be in the giving line!”- Williams
Karen Zacca is the Operations Director at Sandals Foundation—the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International which focuses on developing the Caribbean and improving the lives of its people through the areas of education, environment and community. She is an experienced Project Manager and her responsibilities include overseeing grants, budgets, and managing development projects across nine Caribbean islands. Driven by a passion for service, community development, and relationships, Karen takes pride in coordinating logistics for volunteer groups, overseeing fundraising and special events for the Foundation, and maintaining guest donor relations. With extensive knowledge in operations and procurement as well as revenue and retail, she manages receipt and distribution of in-kind donations both local and overseas and coordinates with Sandals and Beaches Resorts Retail Teams on Sandals Foundation’s items in stock, signage and logistics. In addition to her primary job functions and with experience in human resources, Karen implements Group employee training and awareness programmes on behalf of the Foundation. Karen studied at Wellesley College in the USA and holds a liberal arts degree, supporting her ability in critical thinking, attention to detail and communication skills.
