The Tribune

FOR the past 12 years, Paul Smith, CEO of Electro Telecom, has rewarded 12 outstanding primary school students in the Northwestern district with laptops for their high academic achievement. This year he has expanded the scheme to include 12 students from Northeastern district schools – Palmdale, Centreville, Sandilands, Uriah McPhee, Thelma Gibson and Columbus Primary.

The philanthropic programme started at Oakes Field Primary, Mr Smith’s alma mater, and expanded to include Gambier, T G Glover, Albury Sayle, Stephen Dillet and Woodock Primary schools. Mabel Walker Primary School was also involved in the initiative until it closed in 2012.

During the presentations of the laptops at the Paul Farquharson Centre, Police Headquarters, Mr Smith told the students that their success in primary school is the first leg of their race to success and that they will have to work harder and apply themselves if they want to complete it.

The businessman explained to the audience of parents, schoolchildren and administrators that his reason for giving is summed up in a Buddhist quote: “I learned to give not because I have many, but because I know exactly how it feels to not to have anything”. He recalled that when he was in the ninth grade he was recommended for seven BJCs, but he did not have the money so went knocking on the doors of businesses asking for funds to pay for his exams and received the assistance he needed.

He told the outstanding students his version of the story, The Rabbit and the Turtle, stating that they represented the rabbit that had started the race swiftly, but that if they rested on their laurels, they could lose the race. The turtle represented their peers who have not done as well as they did in primary school, but could come from behind and win the race if the rabbits lose focus. He challenged the students to remain focused, be leaders and not followers.

“Students, I want you to know that the rabbit had many friends who could have awakened him and told him that the turtle was closing in on him; instead they allowed him to lose the race. That is what happens sometimes when you get him involved with bad company,” Mr Smith said.

Dr Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security, recounted his experience with a 40-year-old mother of five with little education who wanted a job, but had no skills. He said that it is times like this that he laments the wastage of human resources in the country. He said that if the lady had met a person like Paul Smith, who gave her a helping hand, her life would have been completely different today.

He told the gathering that the ceremony was more than just presenting laptops, rather about celebrating individuals who care for others and who are willing to give students a helping hand. The minister also expressed disappointment at the small number of boys being rewarded, commenting that everywhere he has gone recently the females are at the top.

Students awarded laptops included:

Northwestern district: Chardonnay Garrick, Alexander Carey (Albury Sayle Primary School); Jada Cumer, Edward Marshall (Oakes Field Primary School); Yolanda Erhaboh, Kendra Phillipe (TG Glover Primary School); Georgia Mariategui, Deshante Belle (Gambier Primary School); Cherquell Stuart, Joanna Trogene (Stephen Dillett Primary School); Petula Fowler, Hismanya Ferdinard (Woodcock Primary School).

Northeastern district: Indaca Gibson, Derhea Smith (Centreville Primary School); Ashely Cartwright, Pooja Krishna (Palmdale Primary School); Opal Green, Kendrick Lynes (Sandilands Primary School); Aaliyah Moss, Shakara Turnquest (Columbus Primary School); Garvon Bullard, Calvin Pinder (Uriah McPhee School Primary); Niara Black, Drew Wood (Thelma Gibson Primary School).