Students in the Gros Islet area are now better equipped to engage in online learning with the Grow Well 2020 Together educational laptop programme. Grow Well presented the computers in a ceremony on June 12, 2020, under stringent COVID-19 protocols. Sponsored by the Sandals Foundation and the Alan Newman Memorial Fund, the Laptop Programme is a new initiative for the educational advancement of secondary school students who received scholarships from Grow Well for the current school year.
“Our students have been put in an unexpected position, with their educational advancement at risk due to this unforeseen expense,” says Grow Well President Paula St. Luce, “This programme exemplifies the very purpose of Grow Well and parents have expressed their deep gratitude and
relief that their children will not be left behind.”
The new Dell and Lenovo laptops and accessories are provided for the use of students for the 2020-2021 school year. Students are expected to maintain and improve academic performance and school attendance as an incentive. Parents and students are charged with proper care and use of the laptop and were given written guidelines for use and care of the devices, which came with protective cases.
Grow Well 2020 Together was quickly developed during the coronavirus shutdown with the help
of educational and technical volunteers. Volunteer IT technicians have blocked unhealthy sites
and installed educational software. They will also help monitor, service and provide technical
guidance during the year.
Sandals Foundation supports the Grow Well junior golf program which introduces youngsters from Gros Islet to the game of golf while supporting them educationally through Grow Well’s Circle of Care program. Matching support for this initiative came from the Alan Newman Fund, set up in memory of the benefactor and strong supporter of Grow Well’s youth programs who passed away last August.
