TWENTY-SIX students from across the island are recipients of laptops, MiFi modems and data packages donated by the Victoria Mutual (VM) Group as part of the organisation’s Labour Day outreach — Labour for Learning II.

According to the VM Group, Labour for Learning II builds on the organisation’s donation of digital education kits to students last year, helping students who are engaged in virtual learning by giving them access to reliable technological devices and Internet connectivity. Twenty-one high school and tertiary students were identified by the organisation’s branch and business unit leaders from across all locations to benefit from the outreach.

Additionally, through sponsorship from Unicorp Jamaica, five tablet devices were received for donation to primary school students.

In a handover tour last week, the recipients were joined by their parents and educators in accepting the donations.

Adriano Smithson, Grade 10 student at Cornwall College, expressed gratitude for the device, which he said would make a significant difference to him as he prepares for his examinations next year.

“I am thankful to everybody at Victoria Mutual, who gifted me with this device. I am very honoured and humbled to be able to have this tool to help me with my studies, as I prepare for CSEC exams next year,” he said.

Clover Moore, assistant vice-president, group corporate affairs and communications, Victoria Mutual, said the Labour for Learning II initiative reflects VM’s commitment to transforming lives.

“We believe in giving back where the need is great and right now, that need is the significant lack of access to devices and Internet connectivity that our students are facing, which is putting them at an educational disadvantage. We have seen the impact of this type of outreach and are happy to be able to work together as a team to make a difference,” she said.

The data package for the MiFi modems, which can hot spot up to 15 device connections at a location, was provided through donations made by VM team members, totaling $300,000.

Last year, the group donated 21 digital education kits, including laptops and smartphones to students sitting Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with most recipients later reporting exceptional performance in their subjects.

In addition to an ongoing tablet donation drive, the group, through the VM Foundation, has also provided some 150 fully restored computers to educational and community development institutions across the island in its Refurbish for Change programme.