MONTEGO BAY, St James

For more than eight years businessman Antonio McKoy has witnessed the growth and development of his now fairly successful company, Le-Antonio’s Roofing and Construction Ltd, located in the inner-city community of Barnett Lane in Montego Bay.

During that time the savvy businessman has observed the deterioration of the living conditions and the lack of economic opportunities for the area residents, as well as the vast number of uneducated persons in the area.

Cognisant that literacy is an essential skill in today’s world, the 35- year-old entrepreneur has embarked on a mission to educate area residents- starting with the children.

Earlier this week, Mc Koy, through his Le Antonio’s Foundation, opened a homework centre at a section of his business establishment at Barnet Lane, which initially will accommodate roughly 30 children from Barnett Lane and its environs.

“Every child, regardless of their socio-economic environment should have a fair chance and opportunity to a substantial education. Even more so in communities such as Barnett Lane and its environs; hence the need for this after school programme,” Mc Koy told the Jamaica Observer West on Tuesday.

“This programme is dedicated to assist these children with their homework and provide them with tutorials on topics they were not able to grasp well during school. Our trained teachers, high school graduates, and other professionals are dedicated in seeing this mission fulfilled.”

The after school programme commences at 3:00pm and lasts until 7:00pm on weekdays, Mc Koy said, adding that plans are well advanced to organise a reading programme on Saturdays.

Aptly named the ‘Le Antonio’s Homework and Development Centre,’ the facility provides a relaxed and controlled environment , outfitted with the necessary resources geared to enable students to realise their full potential.

“We know that these precious children of these communities can become doctors, lawyers, engineers, police, and nurses in the future, but they all need the right opportunity, resources and encouragement,” he argued.

Stressing that education can transform the depressed community, McKoy told the Observer West that plans are also well advanced to add a research centre to the facility, which he said will enable children and adults “to research education-retaled materials.”

Councillor for the area Suzette Brown in welcoming the initiative, stressed that the homework centre is “a beacon of hope for the community.”

” It’s really a good initiative; I support it fully, and I stand ready to give my support in what ever way I can,” she told the Observer West.