Reading Owls International, a U.S.-based non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting literacy in Jamaica, hosted its “Jammin’ for Books!” fundraising celebration on March 7. The event, which included a local reggae band and silent auction, was held at the Woodman Family Community & Performance Centre at Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. IGT was proud to be among the sponsors of this lively and uplifting event.
Brendan Hames, IGT Regional Director of the Caribbean, commented, “We were very happy to partner with Reading Owls International for this event. We are firmly committed to the integration of technology into the classroom experience for students from underserved communities in Jamaica, through our After School Advantage Programme. There should be no barriers to our children achieving their full potential. Books and technology are the tools to enhance their understanding of the world and broaden their horizons. We applaud Reading Owls International for its vision. We wish the organisation all the best in reaching its goals in 2020 and beyond.”
Hames noted that Reading Owls’ goals tie in closely with those of IGT’s signature After School Advantage Programme, which seeks to bridge the digital divide for children who have challenges in accessing the technology required to boost their educational performance. Since 2011, IGT and its subsidiaries have established 39 After School Advantage Centres in the English-speaking Caribbean. These Centres provide computers, software, printers and other equipment, and are regularly maintained and updated.
Co-founder of Reading Owls International, Elaine Dickson, observed, “Having a sponsor and partner such as IGT greatly strengthens our capacity to execute on our strategic priorities, making it possible for us to help raise up the next generation of leaders. Also, this symbiotic partnership highlights IGT’s commitment to education and showcases their corporate social responsibility, given their presence in Jamaica. They were a significant help to us as we further our vision of a world in which every child has the resources to help them succeed. We again extend our deep appreciation.”
Founded in 2013 by Elaine and Easton Dickson, Jamaican-born residents of Cumberland, R.I., Reading Owls International’s mission is to improve the literacy rates of Jamaica’s at-risk school-aged children. It seeks partnerships with schools and community-based organisations to provide access to books and other learning resources. To date, Reading Owls has built or supplemented 24 libraries (including infrastructural improvements), donated almost 30,000 books and impacted the lives of over 7,000 children. The organization’s goal is “Fifty in Five” – that is, to support 50 more libraries in the next five years.
Jamaica Highlights 