From thier website:
About NEET
The Negril Education Environment Trust (NEET) is a non-profit organization based at Travellers Beach Resort in Negril, Jamaica. In 2003 the organization was founded to address the country’s need for educational support and resources. Since its inception, NEET mission and vision have grown. Today, NEET is committed to strengthening the social fabric of Jamaica through programs that expand educational access for children and adults, partnerships that address our public and environmental health, and events and activities that celebrate Jamaica’s rich heritage.
NEET achieves its mission through the provision of three programs, Island-wide Book & Computer Distribution, Computer Literacy, and the Medical Mission.
Buy A Brick Campaign
The buy a brick campaign began a few years ago as part of “Soul Rebellion”. An event in which spring breakers interact with the community as part of a cultural exchange. During this time spring breakers purchased bricks that went towards building a library and toilets at St. Pauls Primary School. N.E.E.T now intends to continue building libraries throughout each school year for schools experiencing similar conditions as St. Pauls. The buy a brick program assisted in building a canteen for Ferris Primary School. We intend to make this a year round campaign.
Computer Literacy Program
N.E.E.T’s very popular computer literacy program seeks to develop the computer skills of adults and children.
N.E.E.T’s Adult Computer Literacy Program (ACLP) seeks to develop the computer skills of individuals who are out of school and wish to develop their skills in this area. In partnership with Peace Corps/Jamaica and the Theodora Project, ACLP has worked with many local residents of Westmoreland to increase their proficiency with using Microsoft Office programs. Such skill sets continue to be sought after in the business community. By providing computer literacy trainings to local residents. In those who have achieved computer training include police, teachers, and members of society who are at risk. Each graduate receives a computer to take home installed with the bible, national anthem, and the national pledge. N.E..E.T’s commitment will yield a more competitive workforce for the Jamaican public.
Medical Mission
The Caribbean Medical Mission is an intricate part of our organization that comes to Jamaica once a year to give free medical checkups and medicine. In 2008, at the opening of St. Pauls Library, the mission gave free medical attention and medicine to parents, children, and teachers.
Island-wide Book & Computer Distribution Program
Led by the motto “a book in every child’s hand and a computer in every classroom”, the Book Distribution Program sets out to achieve just that. In the last 5 years, the organization has been able to donate over 2,000,000 books to various schools. Additionally, NEET received hundreds of computers from offshore contributors that were distributed to schools across the island. N.E.E.T.’s Book & Computer Distribution Program made it possible to build a library at St.Paul’s Primary.
Our next project is to build a library for little London primary school in which all are invited to participate by contributing to the “Buy A Brick Campaign”
Kids-n-Keyboards Project
What is being called a revolutionary way of teaching kids to “touch type” has now been introduced to the first school in Jamaica, Grange Hill High School. The school was presented with 20 color coded keyboards and lesson plans on how to implement the program. The program, founded by Tina Perry has been implemented into New York City school systems and for the first time Jamaica. The program forces students to learn how to type without looking at the keyboard. Twelve schools have been chosen to start out with. Once these schools are successful in implementing the program N.E.E.T intends to open the program to other schools in Jamaica that qualify.
Other Achievements:
- Close to 500 schools in Jamaica have benefited from N.E.E.T Donations
- 2 Awards have been received on behalf of N.E.E.T
- Over 2 Million books over the past 5 years have been distributed to schools around Jamaica
- Materials such as pens and pencils are continuously being donated
- Our goal is to saturate the island with books and computers reaching out to the schools and children most in need
- The theme for 2006 was “each one teach one”
- The theme for 2007 was “swap your guns for computers
- The theme for 2008 is “together we can make a difference”
Thank you Monk for the invite, to NEET for all that you do, to Miss Sonia for continuing to Inspire all that you meet, to the Principal Mrs Clayton and vice Principle Ms Miller Vacciana of the Little Bay All Age and Infact School, for thier hospitality and to Luciano, the Messenger for your message as always of Love, Light and Respect. I Love you mi Brethren.
The School in Likkle Bay
Imagine a Man taking the time out of his busy schedule to give back and spend time with the Children. . A great Man. The Messenger
Blessed Love Luciano
Beautiful post - both in its message and the delivery. These are the examples I like to use when people complain about Jamaica, the illiteracy, the failure of the systems to educate or produce people capable of work and the lack of industry. Then they want to denigrate further by stating that it is outsiders, foreign philanthropy with limited impact and not the efforts of the Jamaican people themselves as if it is a wasted effort. This is a lovely example of what can happen when people form partnerships and work together. The problems in Jamaica stem from both internal and external causes. The current failures in the system and culture did not occur overnight ... nor will they be quickly fixed. However, as long as there are people like the ones who founded NEET, public figures like Luciano who take time to give back to the community, dedicated educators, and all the people who give of their time, efforts and wallets - both native and foreign, then I SEE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. Thank you for sharing this story and don't stop spreading the Word....
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