THE St Ann Primary School has benefitted from the donation of four scholarships, in addition to several high speed Pentium computers with accompanying software, at a cost of US$5,000.

The donation was made recently by the Benevolent Missions of Atlanta (BMA) – a Jamaican organisation based in the United States, which adopted the school a year ago.

BMA president Dr Conrad Ingham said that the computers would be used to improve the students’ reading, writing, numeracy and computer skills.

Already, learning software has been installed and is being used to develop the students’ phonetic and research skills, while some Math software has been added. Internet access will commence as soon as a minor electrical modification to the computer laboratory is addressed.

Ingham told JIS News that the aim was to extend the assistance to one primary school in each of the six education regions.

Meanwhile, school principal Amy James reported “drastic changes” in the students’ motivation to learn since the arrival of the computers.

BMA members recently visited the school, where they interacted and conducted motivational discussions with several students, including offering guidance on focusing, studying, setting and achieving academic goals, as well as overcoming social challenges.

The visiting team also engaged in discussions with the principal, guidance counsellors and grade teachers on their progress, challenges faced by the institution, and the organisations’ continued involvement in the schools’ development.

The BMA, which was formed a little over 18 months ago, is dedicated to effectively harnessing and leveraging the time, talent and resources of the Jamaica-US community, to assist disadvantaged and at risk children throughout Jamaica and the metro-Atlanta area.

The organisation receives funding primarily from Atlanta-based Jamaicans and friends who donate generously to its fundraising activities.