RIO BUENO, Trelawny

South Florida-based attorney Peter Sotolongo last week presented three brand new laptop computers to the Rio Bueno Primary School in Trelawny, in response to a story published in the Jamaica Observer eight years ago, after computers and other equipment were stolen from the school.

Sotolongo of Sotolongo PA, represents persons employed to cruise lines. Among his clients is Abraham Wallace, a Rio Bueno Primary past student.

Sotolongo said in keeping with his policy to give back to his clients’ communities, he decided to make Rio Bueno his first stop in Jamaican, at the request of Wallace. Subsequently, a research by the lawyer led him to the Observer article published 2005.

“The reason we are donating is because we understand in 2005 the school lost all their computers and other equipment. So when we read about that we thought it was a perfect opportunity. That is why we are here,” Sotolongo told the Jamaica Observer West, shortly before making the presentation.

The Observer had reported that thieves removed several pieces of school equipment, valued at more than $600,000 from the institution.

The stolen items included eight computers; one overhead projector; one VCR; one digital camera; a television set; two CD players, and a printer.

Meanwhile, Audrey Barrett, the principal of the Rio Bueno Primary School expressed gratitude for Sotolongo’s donation.

“I am extremely happy. I am pleased and delighted to have them because our performance is yet to reach the standard it needs to be at. I am sure the infusion of these computers into the whole teaching/learning programme will enable us to get to where we need to get to,” she argued.

Sotolongo in the meantime, has promised to provide the school with a set of desk computers early next year.