Gore Developments Limited lends a helping hand

Tushun Green representing Gore Developments Limited (GDL) handed over a cheque valued at $100,000 to Virginia Chin of the Cassava Piece Development & Education Centre/CDEC (formerly known as HELP/Help Establish Library Projects in Jamaica) on Wednesday, November 2. The money was a much-needed infusion of funds to help keep the CDEC's doors open.

Chin, who runs the well-kept, colourful and safe space in the sometimes troubled community, was very happy for the assistance as she endeavours to keep the centre, which has come a long way under her guidance, operational. Starting out as a basic classroom for local children to be safe while doing homework after school hours, it has blossomed into a haven for both children and adults to learn and be creative in the fields of Imformation Technology (IT), art, sports and music.

NOT TOO LATE

The centre consists of an open general reading area with a well-stocked library (courtesy of donors) that includes quality books for children of all ages on history, science and business, with a focus on writers from the Caribbean, Africa and the Americas. As well as providing a safe, clean, environment for supervised study, it provides assistance to children from six -18 and adults of all ages. It is never too late to enrol in the literacy and numeracy classes on offer. CDEC now boasts a small, well-kept computer lab, with a professional from HEART on hand who volunteers his time and considerable IT expertise to all those willing to learn.

GDL, as keen sponsors of scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels, was more than happy to lend a hand and glad to see such a vibrant project standing firm in Cassava Piece; to encourage local residents and those from the surrounding community (some from as far as Stony Hill) to study, learn new skills or volunteer to help out as well.