WESTERN BUREAU:

The ambitious drive by Caribbean Classic Golf Invitation (CCGI) to provide computers for every primary school in Jamaica has been lauded by Education Minister Andrew Holness.

"This gift to education is invaluable because education is designed to bring people's mind to the highest level," Holness said during a function staged by CCGI at Hague Primary School in Trelawny last week.

Lifelong passion

"The benefit of the computer is immeasurable because computers help us to manage our affairs to meet the digital divide."

Jamaica-born businessman Richard Stephenson, who heads CCGI, said philanthropy - his lifelong passion - had spurred him to start giving back to Jamaica five years ago.

"Since we started five years ago, we have covered several primary schools and, to date, we have handed out some 600 desktop computers," he said.

"We are now more convinced that ever that we will be able to meet our mandate to put a computer in every primary school in Jamaica."

CCGI, which generates funds for its computer project through the staging of charity events, hosted three such shows at the Rose Hall Aqueduct in Montego Bay this year.

"It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of an initiative aimed at educating our children," said Cedric 'The Entertainer', who performed at one of the shows. "The best gift we can give to our children is the gift of a good education."

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com