MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Copse Place of Safety in Hanover has introduced computer training to its boys, as part of efforts to improve the facility’s educational offerings.

“The boys learn basic computer skills. We decided to start with that because most of the boys were not exposed to computers. (But) as the boys progress we will introduce more advanced programmes to the curriculum,” Derval Rowe, who manages the facility, told the Observer on Thursday.

With the installation of four computers at the institution’s library about two weeks ago, a group of 10 boys are engaged with learning to operate the Microsoft word programme while improving their proficiency and getting comfortable with the machines through games.

Their computer education keeps them occupied for between five and six hours each day. Sheldon Chambers, 18, is responsible for their education. Chambers is a former ward of the home, but one who continues to reside there in the face of a lack of alternatives. Rowe is glad of his presence.

“It is really something positive to have a boy who came out of the institution who has acquired skills that he is now able to share with the other boys,” the institution’s manager said.

He said in the interim that the presence of the computers in the library was also serving to encourage reading among the boys.

“They are exposed to the books and that stimulates their interest in reading,” he said.

Work on improving the infrastructure should get into high gear within another few weeks, following the visit of an assessment team to the home this weekend. The team, Rowe said, would submit an estimate for the needed repairs to the Child Development Agency (CDA) who will see to the provision of funding. And as they await those repairs, the boys, with donated paint from a Montego Bay company, have begun to give the facility a facelift.

“It looks quite good. It’s beautiful,” Rowe said of the external paint job, adding that the boys were now busy with painting the interior.