Turks & Caicos Port Authority Launches Community Outreach with Donation of Tablets to School Children

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – As the first initiative under its Community Outreach Program, Ports Authority Chairman, Urban Jason Francis, today presented 10 Tablets with internet connectivity Minister of Education Hon. Karen Malcolm.  The tablets are for distribution by the Education Department to assist students throughout the TCI disadvantaged by impacts of COVID-19. 

Chairman Francis, also presented Tablets to Ports Authority staff on Providenciales who have school-aged children.

In presenting the tablets, Chairman Francis, said ”This is a new initiative for the Ports Authority.  As a port, we want to do our part. We wanted to first take care of our staff and also make a meaningful contribution to our education system during these challenging times”.

Hon Malcolm, expresses her thanks to the Ports Authority for gifting 10 disadvantaged school children with the tablets and said ”…the generosity of the Port will complement the Education Department’s online school program which came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was noted that only 80% of students had access to tablets.”

Several staff from the Ports Authority (Shawna Lewis, Financial Controller, Deleria Simms, HR Manager and Dorothy Malcolm, PA to Director of Ports) joined by Chairman Francis for the presentation of the tablets. Hon. Malcolm, was accompanied by PS/Education Mr. Wesley Clerveaux and staff of the Education Department.

Funds for the tablets were raised by personal contributions of staff and Directors along with a matching contribution from the Ports Authority.

The Ports Community Outreach/Corporate Citizen Program was approved by the Board at their May meeting. Ports are an integral part of the communities they serve.  The outreach program is established to showcase the Ports “Supporting Communities Open Hands, Open Hearts” brand.

Press Release from the TCI Ports Authority