The cyberClub, which operates out of the Bethel United Church's Homework Centre is equipped with 10 personal computers donated by the CWJF and also receives high speed Internet service free of charge, courtesy of the Foundation.

The new facility fills an important void for the community whose citizens are among the most underserved with regard to Information and Communications Technology.

"It is very rare to have something like our cyberClub in this part of the country," said Reverend Leo Hall, Minister of the Bethel United Church.  "There is one Internet café and that's about it - and people have to pay a lot of money to use it.  But when they come here they can have Internet access at no cost."

The club is particularly appealing to students many of whom use it, not only as an educational centre, but also as a refuge.

"The students like the fact that they are able to use the computers and the Internet to get information but on top of that, the centre itself is an ideal place for them to come, cool out, focus on learning and also get away from some of the negatives in the community," Rev Hall said.

Bethel United's cyberClub is also being used to deliver computer training and the first batch of graduates - 14 students ranging in age from 8 to 50 years - recently completed a three-month course.  The training, Rev Hall explained, will enable the graduates to qualify for Level 1 NCTVET Certification as soon as the Centre officially receives the necessary accreditation from HEART/NTA.

It was this vision, that the Centre could facilitate learning among the students and the wider community of Highgate, which led the CWJF to get involved with the project, said Ann Astwood, the Foundation's Manager.  .

"The Cable & Wireless Foundation is specifically focused on proving access to IT in communities that are underserved in this regard," she explained.  "Our collaboration with Bethel United is a very good example of the kind of initiative that we are seeking to support because we consider it critical to national development to get information technology to as wide a cross section of the population as possible."

Bethel United's cyberClub is the sixth such facility to be established by the Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation.  Similar facilities have been set up at the Grants Pen Citizens Services Centre, the Scouts Association, the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and Bible Teachers International on Victoria Avenue Community Centre in the Corporate Area and the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre in St. James.  Additional facilities are scheduled to come on stream later this year.