The donation comes as part of a programme aimed at equipping local schools with computers. Since the programme's launch in Clarendon in October last year, more than 400 computers have been distributed.

Beryl Walters-Riley, founder of VJEEF, noted that the programme has been expanding and has reaped a number of benefits.

"The computer programme continues to expand, more students are benefiting and they will become more involved with school work and become literate, bringing enthusiasm for learning into their homes," she said.

POSITIVES RETURNS

Some 3000 students are expected to benefit from the programme and already schools are reporting the benefits. Thompson Town Primary and Edwin Allen High schools are two schools which are reporting positives returns from being in the programme.

At Edwin Allen, a reading laboratory which was established about 10 years ago was revived after upgraded computer equipment was installed. And at Thompson Town, computer technology learning continues to move forward in high gear.

Mrs. Riley noted that helping students to become computer literate would impact positively on the family and friends who would also learn and thereby bridge the generation gap in information technology.

In the meantime, while VJEEF seeks to expand the programme, a liaison committee has been set up to co-ordinate the distribution of computer equipment as they arrive in the island.

The VJEEF was launched five years ago and is aimed at enhancing educational, cultural and economic exchanges between Jamaica and the United States.

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