contributed-Pastor Windell Rankine gets an Internet lesson from the Portmore 'cyberCentre's' Executive Director Dionne Myrie (seated left) and his son Rev Dale Rankine (seated centre). Pastor Rankine was trying out one of the computers following the recent opening of the 'cyberCentre', which is located at the Truth Tabernacle Church's Early Childhood Educational and Day-care Centre in Cumberland, Portmore. Also sharing in the moment are Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation Volunteers (from far left) Ann Astwood, foundation manager, Andrea Barrett-James, Shelly-Ann O'Connor, Winsome Butler, Mitsy Jones and Camille Taylor.

The citizens of Cumberland in Portmore are the latest to benefit from a dedicated 'cyberClub', as the Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation (CWJF) continues its drive to increase Internet access at the community level.

The CWJF recently opened its seventh 'cyberClub' at the Truth Tabernacle Church's Early Childhood Educational and Day-care Centre in Cumberland. Established at a cost of $400,000 the project was undertaken in collaboration with 'Teens 4 Technology'.

Equipped with 10 personal computers and high speed Internet service, the 'cyberClub' will serve citizens of Cumberland, West Cumberland, Cedar Grove, Independence City and Naggo Head.

centrepiece

Rev. Dale Rankin of the Truth Tabernacle Church says the facility will be the centrepiece of development plans for the community.

"There are people in our community who do not know what a computer looks like or how to turn one on," he explains. "We want to use this computer lab to help people who would not normally have exposure to computers or the Internet to become familiar with the technology and develop some basic skills."

Elaborating on the plans Rev. Rankine says, "We have a summer programme that's going to start in July that will cater to children from age seven and up. Apart from that we'll soon be offering HEART certification courses up to level 3; we will be running an Adult Personal Improvement Programme; and we eventually want to start offering a CXC information technology course."

The 'cyberClub' will also be introducing C&W 'Happy Hours' when students will be able to use the Internet at no charge for research and homework assignments on select days. In addition, all users will be offered free introductory lessons and advanced training at nominal costs.

Looking into the not distant future, Rev. Rankine anticipates that the club will develop into a full-scale education centre where persons can take computer-based courses, complete research papers and other assignments, as well as prepare, print and photocopy documents. He also hopes that the facility can be expanded to serve as a gathering place for students including at-risk youth.

"A major problem in our communities is that young people are idle in the after-school hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. We want to have a place where they can be engaged in productive activities and stay out of trouble," he said.