CHEETAH Toys Donates PEP Books And Robots To Hurricane-Hit Schools

The National Education Trust (NET) has joined with CHEETAH Toys and More LLC to get learning support to schools and students hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Under the arrangement, CHEETAH Toys and More LLC has provided Primary Exit Profile (PEP) preparation books and iCHEETAH educational robots valued at $4.5 million. The donation is intended to strengthen NET’s continuing response work and help schools replace key teaching and learning materials for students whose classes were interrupted by the hurricane.

The handover took place on May 29 at the National Education Trust, Caenwood Centre in Kingston.

Dr. Nadine Simms, Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Media Services Unit at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, spoke at the event on behalf of Acting Chief Education Officer Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle. She said the gesture showed how important partnerships are to the recovery of the education system.

“Today is about much more than handing over educational resources. It is really about what can happen when people come together with shared purpose. It reflects kindness, partnership and a strong commitment to helping our students and schools to move forward,” she said.

Dr. Simms said the sector is still working through the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, which affected students, educators and communities islandwide. She noted that the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry, has been moving to bring back stability, keep learning going and safeguard children’s future, while recognising that the task requires support from partners.

She also expressed gratitude to NET and CHEETAH Toys and More LLC, saying the resources stand for opportunity, access and hope for the students who will use them.

CHEETAH Toys and More LLC Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paulette Trowers-Lawrence said the project is tied to the company’s pledge to help children remain engaged in education despite the setbacks caused by the hurricane.

“Like many Jamaicans, we wanted to find a meaningful way to help,” she said.

Dr. Trowers-Lawrence said the company’s team saw extensive damage during a visit to communities affected by the storm. She said many schools lost books, learning materials and other educational supplies, leaving students without the tools needed even when classrooms are able to reopen.

She added that the contribution should be seen as more than school supplies. “This contribution represents more than a donation…It represents our continued provision and our commitment to all Jamaican children, and the belief that even in difficult times, education cannot and should not wait,” she said.

Keisha Johnson, NET’s Director of Donor and Partnership Management, praised CHEETAH Toys and More LLC for being among the earliest organisations to assist the Ministry’s post-Hurricane Melissa recovery programme.

“Dr. Trowers was one of the first persons to reach out… supporting with whatever ways she can,” Ms. Johnson said.

Ms. Johnson said students who lost learning resources in the hurricane have already started benefiting from the donation, including the PEP books. She noted that the children present at the ceremony were among those receiving support, allowing them to continue preparing for the PEP examination.

She further appealed for more companies and individuals to support schools that are still trying to recover from the hurricane. “There’s still room at the table for you to continue to assist us to support our children in their learning, in the resumption of their learning, in the continuing of their education,” she said.