Spotlight looks this week at the work of two international organisations, run by a Jamaican and a Canadian, who have been involved in honing local young talent. Their most recent feat, a skills training centre in Hanover, is set to open its doors tomorrow.

CLASSES at the multimillion dollar International Charity Association Network (ICAN) and Compassionate Outreach Foundation Incorporation (COFI)-sponsored Hopewell Skills Training Centre will begin tomorrow.

The centre, equipped with a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, consisting of 40 computers, as well as a sewing department, will offer training for hundreds of people in the Hanover area, at a minimal cost.

“This is truly another milestone for the ministry as we endeavour to grow and expand our services to assist in whatever way that we can to continue to empower and enhance the lives of young people,” COFI’s president, Dr Hazel Hanson, said at the recent launch of the facility.

“This infrastructure will leverage resource mobilisation at the grass roots, providing the citizens of the various communities with a voice and will strengthen their ability to improve their lives,” she added.

In addition to offering computer and sewing lessons by a qualified staff, the centre will also offer classes in Mathematics and English.

Member of Parliament for Eastern Hanover, Barrington Gray, who described the facility as the only “one of its kind” in Hopewell, lauded COFI and ICAN for their foresight in establishing the centre.

The facility, he added, could not have come at a better time, as he urged Hanovarians to nurture and cherish the training centre.

ICAN’s director, Carol Armstrong also encouraged the citizens to make good use of the facility, arguing that “knowledge is the key to success”.

She later told the Sunday Observer that ICAN, a Canadian-based organisation, plans to collaborate with several other Jamaican groups in establishing computer centres, possibly in Negril and Montego Bay.

ICAN, over the years, has been working with more than 400 non-profit organisations worldwide, and has been integrally involved in COFI’s school feeding programme.

COFI, also a Canadian-based charity organisation, was established 15 years ago, by the Jamaican-born Hanson, who migrated to Canada at an early age.

Since its inception, COFI’s compassion has reached many. The organisation now sponsors more than 1,600 needy children with free meals daily in 54 schools across 11 parishes in Jamaica.

It has also donated more than 100 computers to these schools, and has also assisted scores of students with transportation fares to attend school. Additionally, the organisation has provided bedding material and furniture to hundreds of individuals and organisations.