Corporate Jamaica should do what they can to help needy students

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I was impressed and moved by the article titled ‘Letter to lifespan’ published on Saturday, October 24 in The Gleaner. The piece detailed how Lifespan Spring Water through their chief executive officer is assisting less fortunate students by rewarding them for personal essays written to company with a tablet. Two things jumped out at me here: the unending patriotism of the Jamaican people and what is attainable should we all band together to lift each other up.

None of us could have predicted COVID-19 pandemic. A few months ago we were all out in social spaces, no social distancing, without masks and unconcerned. Things have changed dramatically. None of us were prepared! Our children, I believe, have been made to bear the brunt of the situation. The security of their school routines has been ripped from beneath them as face-to-face lessons have ceased. The Jamaican reality, however, is that many students will face grave difficulties or be left behind completely in the digital switchover simply because they lack the devices.

Despite the obvious challenges, our children must still be given every opportunity to prepare academically for the future. I admire Lifespan’s incredible effort to equip the students who otherwise might not have been able to afford these devices, but more so I implore other corporates to take up the mantle. Let us combine our resources to continue to inspire and lift each other up through this very difficult time. It is my hope that these acts of goodwill will fuel the fires of care, patriotism and responsibility we so desperately need to navigate the journey ahead. Big love to all the corporates that have given and all the those that will give.

TZ