Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Information Technology (IT) students at Cornwall College in Montego Bay look on while president of Teen for Technology, Anders Jones, types on one of the newest additions to the school's computer laboratory. Teens for Technology, a non-profit organisation run by teens in the United States, donated 30 reconstructed computers to the Conrwall IT Department. - File

My luvs, it's everyone's favourite bank holiday, starting on Thursday afternoon to fully appreciate Good Friday, and ending some time on Easter Monday, for the masses, but some time Tuesday, for the uberclass. And precious angels, how!

To begin with, it is easily one of the more fun-filled weekends on the social calendar, filled with entertainment activities for the entire family, the party-hearty, the culture-vulture, and of course, the party weary.

Dovecakes! There is literally no room to be had at the island's leading resorts from the east shore all the way to the north, with a few available on the island's south shores. Negril is sizzling and then some, as the spring-breakers from home and abroad throw all caution to the wind, for a weekend of sun, fun and frolicking.

My dears! Talk about living it up! Sweet-things! It's the weekend for living it up and nothing but! From the kite festival and family fun day, at Melrose Farm and Estate in the hills of the garden parish on Good Friday, to the family fun-fest, at JamWorld in Portmore, St Catherine (tomorrow) Easter Monday, the island has been hopping to the entertainment beat - and then some.

Cultural events

Benjamin

Today, being Easter Sunday, the morning begins at 6:00 a.m. for the culturally aware at The Little Theatre, on Tom Redcam Avenue, for a morning of Movement and Music, as the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), Jamaica's internationally acclaimed and celebrated dance company, offers up its traditional Easter Sunday morning of music and dance.

To its adoring public, this year's presentation, this offering, is not only a must attend, it is the cultural gospel, as envisioned and orchestrated by Jamaica's foremost disciple of dance, the pre-eminent Professor Rex Nettleford.

My dears, with the Easter Sunday instalment of the annual NDTC dance schedule, being the most-anticipated event on the cultural calendar, it is a cultural hybrid of Easter worship and cultural renewal. It does make for one fabulous social.

Then my daahlings, y'all remember young Anders Jones and his creativity that led to the birth of Teens For Technology! Well, the organisation he founded has now come into its own.

Computer lab initiative

Lakasingh

Founded in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2001, by the then 13-year-old American student, in response to the perceived need of the Mountain View Primary School, based on a conversation with one of the school's students, Anders Jones and his father, international financial consultant and venture capitalist Mark Jones spearheaded an initiative to build a computer lab and supply computers to the community. Teens For Technology (TFT) was born, and the Mountain View Primary School computer lab opened in March 2002.

Buoyed by its success, Anders Jones and a team of his schoolmates then embarked on a programme to provide computer labs in schools and community centres throughout Jamaica, working with community groups, service organisations, church sponsors, businesses, and past-student associations.

To date, the once-fledgling organisation has provided computer labs to 315 schools across Jamaica. Organised as a non-governmental organisation in Jamaica, and a non-profit entity in the United States, it is currently donating approximately 10 computer labs per month throughout Jamaica. The current initiative, 10K for JA, aims to place 10,000 computers in Jamaican schools by 2009.

Based on the success in Jamaica, Teens For Technology has, for the past two years, expanded to other countries. There are now computer labs in Thailand, Pakistan (Kashmir), Vietnam and Haiti. In Haiti, TFT is working with Wyclef Jean's NGO (Yele Haiti) to undertake a major computerisation initiative. In 2008, TFT is scheduled to begin operations in Mexico, Peru and The Congo.

Today, approximately 500,000 children around the world are learning essential technology skills on Teens for Technology computers.

Well, based on its international success and appeal, TFT has come full circle, and this Wednesday, it will partner with the Durham Group in hosting a fund-raising affair under the theme Carnival Two Thousand and Love, at 4 Durham Avenue, in upscale Liguanea. Luvs, it promises to be a soca lovers dream that provides a wonderful opportunity for soca fans and parties to enjoy themselves, yet contribute to a very worthy cause as proceeds will go towards establishing a computer lab for the King Western Primary School in rural St Andrew. My dears, with Andrew Henry's Renegade Disco providing the music, and hot Trinidadian Rhythm section, The Engine Room, flying in to provide rhythmic vibes, y'all know we are talking one hot party here, and nothing but.

Pumpkins, it is the only way to party into the carnival spirit here in the capital, and dovecakes, this here scribe will be there.

Then, my dears, belated birthday wishes to the illustrious Seragh Lakasingh, who celebrated his birthday on Good Friday. Heir to the Guardsman Group fortune, Nicholas Benjamin, celebrated on Wednesday, March 19, as did former TV soap actress, Rose Tavares-Finson. The lovely Valerie Marzouca and Tina Spiro celebrated on March 20.

Many happy returns y'all, with champagne toasts and Beluga treats!