When: November 24, 2021
Where: Waldensia Primary School Trelawny
Who: Usain Bolt Foundation & Epson
What: Official Handing over ceremony of Epson printers and projectors
Epson, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of computer printers and imaging equipment, has formed a partnership with the Usain Bolt Foundation to provide EcoTank printers and projectors to several Primary schools across Jamaica.
Waldensia Primary – former school of the sprinting legend, Dr. the Honourable Usain Bolt, along with Salt Marsh, Duanvale, and Kinloss Primary Schools, to name a few, were recipients of these well needed donations.
According to Ministry of Education representative Ms Karlene Segree and Mrs. Nicola Ottey-Anderson, principal of Waldensia, “equipment such as this is the needed solution for all educational institutions across Jamaica because our printing needs are grave”. Ms Segree further explained that thousands of students are still not able to connect in the virtual space, and teachers and several stakeholders have been having to go the extra mile to ensure that all children have access to learning materials.
With a total of one hundred printers and twenty projectors valued at £100,600, it is the hope of Epson’s Marketing Communications Director, Maria Eagling, that the donations will allow children in Jamaica to dream big and give them a head start in making those dreams a reality.
“We are pleased to be part of this partnership, and we look forward to working with the foundation in the coming years and doing everything that we can to provide as much help as we can along the way,” said Eagling.
“It is always a pleasure to give back to Jamaica. It is a wonderful feeling to see the children getting a better opportunity than I had because I know what a lot of them are going through and the hardship they have experienced throughout this pandemic,” said Bolt. “I believe that children have a right to the best start in life. With access to the best equipment possible, primary schools throughout Jamaica will benefit greatly. Bolt continued. “Epson shares my vision of making education accessible to everyone and, together, we are helping kids across Jamaica to bring dreams of sustainable, healthier, and happier futures vividly to life,” he added.
Nugent Walker, Usain’s Manager and best friend expressed his delight in the donations and said, “the donations couldn’t be more timely as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a negative effect on thousands of children and I am happy that we are a part of positive change and the future for our children looks brighter.” He also encouraged the children to dream big and never think limits.
The Usain Bolt Foundation aims to enhance the character of children through educational and cultural development in order to effect positive change in Jamaica and, by extension, the world. Usain encouraged the students in attendance to work hard, be dedicated, believe in themselves, and dream big in order to be the best they can be.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Ministry of Education representative Ms Karlene Segree, Usain Bolt Foundation Chairman Rev. Winsome Wilkins, Nugent Walker-Usain Bolt’s Manager and Jennifer Bolt-Usain Bolt’s mother.
