Students at the Excel Beetham Estate Government Primary School will return to a fully equipped computer lab this week after the United States Embassy donated ten computers, furniture, and supplies to the school on May 19.
The US$25,000 donation, funded through the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)’s Humanitarian Assistance Program, restores a resource that teachers and students at the school had long gone without. The lab is now stocked with ten Lenovo desktop computers, printers, whiteboards, and chairs, along with basics for the staffroom that teachers asked for: a refrigerator, a microwave, and stationery supplies.
For the Beetham Estate community, the donation carries weight beyond hardware. Access to working computers and digital skills is increasingly the dividing line between young people who can compete for jobs and opportunities and those who cannot.
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Hansen said: “Every child in Trinidad and Tobago deserves a real shot, and in today’s world, that means access to digital tools. We’re proud to support the students and teachers of Beetham Estate Primary, and we’re grateful to the school community for welcoming this partnership.”
Senior Teacher Kenya Kiteme said, “We are very grateful for the donation from the United States of computers and accessories. They will go a long way in building skills in our children, as well as providing opportunities for STEM exercises and the after-school program.”