A STEVEDORE family, on Monday, received six tablets and keyboards, a printer, school supplies and internet connectivity from the Smart Start Youth Foundation, to help mitigate the challenges being experienced in accessing online learning.
The family, which had appealed to the public for help, was quick to express its gratitude to the generous donors.
“These tablets will actually make our work much easier, because it’s been very difficult for my mother to have to go to the school and come back every time, to get my schoolwork. It’s a trip every time. So this will make it way easier for us to do our schoolwork online, and she won’t have to be going to the school so often to carry in and bring back my schoolwork,” 14-year-old Ezekiel said to Manager of Smart Start, Gillian Singh, who handed over the items.
While this is the Foundation’s first such initiative, Singh noted that assisting youths in that manner had been the vision of the founder, John Wallis, for some time now. She expressed elation in seizing the opportunity to help.

“He [Wallis] has been very passionate about helping the youths and supporting them, and ensuring that they get a proper education and foundation in order to help them be successful in life. He’s very supportive where that is concerned,” she explained to the Guyana Chronicle.
Smart Start will cover the cost of internet service for the family, and will check in regularly to ensure that the six school-aged children are actively engaged, and are getting the help that they require.
“That’s what our Foundation is about — helping the youths, and ensuring that we’re supporting them, so that they can become young entrepreneurs; and finding them mentors during that process, in case they have challenges,” Singh concluded.

Meanwhile, the children’s mother, Yvonne Reid-Hamilton who is a single parent of eight, expressed her tremendous gratitude for the assistance the family received.
“I’d like to say thank you to Ms. Gillian, and to [the Chronicle] for everything you guys have done for us. We are very grateful. I trust in God that you guys will keep on doing the good work that you’re doing. May God give you health and strength. Thank you once more for assisting my children,” the grateful mother expressed.
The Ministry of Education has kept schools closed for face-to-face learning for all levels except Grades 10, 11 and 12. In the meantime, teachers and learners continue to utilise media such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Facebook, Edmodo, Google Meet and Classrooms to engage learners online.