The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) BVI, has donated 56 electronic tablets to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture to be used for virtual learning in this new era of COVID-19.
Newly appointed Director of ADRA BVI John Williamson and Island Coordinator of the BVI Constituency of Seventh-day Adventist Churches Pastor Sylvester Williams made the presentation to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley at his office on 27 August.
Present were Permanent Secretary Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe and members of the ADRA Executive.
Pastor Williams said, “Our desire is to initiate human relief and disaster relief. When it comes to ADRA, we fulfil our duties without race, colour or language. Our desire is to be a servant of God and a friend to man. Our desire is to further ensure that we represent God here before the people.”
Director of ADRA BVI Mr. Williamson said it is a great day for ADRA in the Virgin Islands and he was grateful to make the presentation to Government. He shared that as an agency responsible for development and relief, ADRA is delighted to help the community in whatever way they can.
“It is our profound privilege for ADRA BVI to present to the students of the Territory of the Virgin Islands, 56 electronic tablets, 32 of which will be utilised by the Government and the other 24 will be donated to private schools.”
The newly appointed director added, “We hope and trust that the students will find these electronic tablets available and suitable for their learning experience due to COVID-19 and the absence of actual teaching in the classroom.”
Education Minister Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley said it was a very timely donation as it comes on the heels of Government’s announcement earlier this week to continue online learning for the remainder of the 2020 year.
“I extend a hearty thank you to ADRA, for their very generous contribution,’ he said. The Education Minister continued, “We are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result, we had to switch to online learning for the safety of our young people. These tablets will be used by these young persons to provide continuity within the education system and to ensure that they continue to learn their lessons and not fall behind as they pursue their God given purpose in life.”
Honourable Wheatley added, “I am so impressed with this donation by ADRA because we have an agency that recognises that the churches have a responsibility to lend a helping hand and to ensure that beyond the church walls, they are doing God’s work and are helping the development of the society in a very positive way.”
The Deputy Premier further shared, “The Government welcomes this because we need a partnership with persons in the community. I encourage other institutions within the community and individuals to continue that generosity, that generous spirit of giving to help us within the education system and other areas of Government,”
ABOUT ADRA
ADRA is the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church – part of the 20-million strong Adventist community, with hundreds of thousands of churches globally and the world’s largest integrated healthcare and education network.
ADRA delivers relief and development assistance to individuals in more than 118 countries regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association.
By partnering with local communities, organisations and governments, ADRA will delivery culturally relevant programmes and build local capability for sustainable change.