The residents of the Farm Road Community will soon have access to three “Internet in the Community” computer labs, thanks to Systems Resource Group, (SRG) the Internet service provider Bahamas On-Line, Sunshine Insurance, Solomonﾴs Mines and Taylor Industries. In a community outreach program spearheaded by SRG, the Bahamasﾴ leading provider of technology, e-Commerce and communications solutions, computers are now being installed in designated areas at Salem Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant Green Baptist Church and East Street Gospel Chapel. It is hoped the computer centers will be open by the end of the month.
Police Inspector Stephen Dean of the Farm Road Project Team said that the access to computers and the world of opportunity they offer would have a positive response in the immediate and in the long term for the residents of the Farm Road area.
“Based on our research, we know that there are very many unattended children with nothing to do between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. every week day and on weekends too. These free computer centers can have a life-altering effect on the youngsters of Farm Road and on their parents,” said the Police Officer. He said that the churches had identified people to teach the children how to use the computers and to monitor activities with the help of the Police.
Paul Hutton-Ashkenny, president of SRG and Bahamas On-Line said the initiative was in response to the publicity some months ago surrounding the Police and their community efforts in the Farm Road area. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, had requested from the Police a report on Farm Road in keeping with community policing initiatives where police and community work together, building partnerships and improving the quality of life..
“We discussed it at one of our staff meetings and decided to participate in the best way we could We contacted the Farm Road Project Team and learned that they, along with members of Social Services and Environmental Health, had already identified computer access as something that would have positive value. Sunshine Insurance and the Tribune were already committed to providing some PCs. We decided to help lead the project, provide wireless high-speed Internet access through Bahamas On-Line, and use our contacts to introduce other well-intentioned business partners to assist in acquiring computers with a view to setting up as many learning centers as possible within the area. Solomonﾴs Mines provided more PCs, and Taylor Industries provided the wiring and labour for installation. It has proved to be a fabulous joint corporate effort that will yield tremendous positive impact in the community.”
Pastor Tom Roberts of East Street Gospel Chapel, Pastor Charles Saunders of Salem Baptist Church, and Pastor Wesley Thompson of Mount Pleasant Green Baptist Church willingly worked with the corporate imitative to bring the idea to fruition. They all agree that if properly administered and monitored the computer labs could be a turning point for many in the Farm Road area.
“These families do not have access to computers ﾖ this is a wonderful opportunity for them to see the possibilities of broadening their knowledge and skills,” said Inspector Stephen Dean. He added that they are now also working in Kemp Road and that if the computer labs prove to be a success in Farm Road, the model could be adopted for other communities with the assistance of corporate Bahamas. He said that other companies such as HG Christie and Pepsi Bahamas and The Gentlemen of PIXI Chapter Omega PSI KPHI Fraternity Inc. have also come forward and donated computers.
