WILTON GARDENS has often made the news for the wrong reasons since it was constructed as one of several low-income communities in the 1970s. But an educational programme launched there last year is looking to change the community's crime-ridden image.

Rema, as Wilton Gardens is commonly referred to, is sandwiched between Arnett Gardens, which traditionally supports the Opposition People's National Party, and West Kingston, which backs the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

Residents have endured more than 30 years of violence brought on by accusations from their neighbours of having allegiance to either party.

In February 2007, the Ministry of Health, along with the British High Commission and Cable and Wireless, established the computer-driven Learning For Life Programme at the Boys' Town All-Age School. The programme not only gives participants an opportunity to sharpen their computer skills, but paves the way for placement at the HEART/NTA and eventual employment.

Overwhelming success

Anna Morgan, programme coordinator of the Rema branch of Learning For Life, told The Gleaner that response to the project has been "overwhelming".

"We have a young man (Dwight Webb) who is now at the Maritime Institute. If it wasn't for the programme, it would have been difficult, because reading was a problem for him," Morgan said.

Through software, users of the computers are reintroduced to phonics and are able to improve their reading and vocabulary. Morgan said there are currently 21 persons (20 males) between the ages of 15 and 25 utilising the six computers. Although most are from Rema, persons from areas which have had an indifferent relationship with the community are regular users.

"You have guys from across the gully coming into Rema, so it has helped in terms of interaction between the communities," she said.

Like Morgan, community activist Devon 'Ziggy Soul' is from Rema. He was getting two youngsters acquainted with the computer when The Gleaner visited Boys' Town All-Age.

"This programme was aimed at the guys on the corners, and if it wasn't for it, some of them wouldn't be at HEART. So we are trying to get as many as possible involved," he said.

The Learning For Life Programme was initiated by the Violence Prevention Alliance and the Dispute Resolution Foundation. There are similar centres in nearby Rose Town, Windward Road in east Kingston and Flankers in St James.

- Howard Campbell