Students and staff of Community Action Now (CAN) were jubilant last Friday as they, along with facilitators at the Romeo Malone Community Centre, welcomed the addition of a brand-new computer lab from the International Game Technology (IGT) team, managers and operators of the Caribbean Lottery, a release issued by the lottery firm has made known.

According to Caribbean Lottery, General Manager of IGT Antilles Operations, Shelly Ann Hee Chung, described the occasion as a “proud moment” for IGT and Caribbean Lottery, noting that it was the second IGT ASA Center to be established in the USVI territory.

“Today’s presentation will bring to two, the number of IGT ASA Centers based here in USVI, following the launch of our first ASA Center at the Queen Louise Home for Children in St. Croix in 2010,” said Hee Chung. “This state-of-the-art computer center which IGT and Caribbean Lottery will hand over today to the Community Action Now (CAN) team for students and staff at the Romeo Malone Centre, is the 39th technology facility of its kind to be opened within the English-speaking Caribbean under our flagship philanthropic initiative, the IGT ASA program,” said Ms. Hee Chung.

In February 2022, CAN received 15 laptops and accessories in the first phase of the ASA partnership; the procurement and installation of learning and security software; the supply of storage and charging cabinets for the devices; and repainting of the facility. This donation was made in support of developing the Centre’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and after school community programs, stated the release.

As of this February, the IGT ASA program donated over 30 computers and supporting accessories to CAN. This investment now brings computer and internet access to over 40 students and other residents of the community who are engaged in the various programs organized by CAN at the community center.  It also makes room for other youngsters, without devices or internet at home, to complete school assignments.

Ms. Hee Chung noted that the gesture underscores the company’s commitment to advancing access to digital learning among youth in the region – a vision which she observed “is perfectly aligned” with their partner, CAN, whose community programs have received much support from IGT since 2017, post Hurricane Irma. 

“IGT and its subsidiaries are always eager to provide digital learning opportunities for our very talented young people in an environment that nurtures their noblest impulses and creativity in an ever-evolving digital society. We all seek to transform, for the best, the communities in which we operate so that they will become sustainable and be known as hubs of economic activity and opportunity,” said Ms. Hee Chung, who lauded the CAN team for building the Romeo Malone Community Center for the benefit of hundreds, including young residents of the community. 

Director of Community Action Now, Iffat Walker expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire CAN and Romeo Malone team for the years of support for their various initiatives that they have received from the IGT team.

“There are not enough words to describe how grateful we are for IGT’s support. It has been a dream to make the Romeo Malone Community Center a place where technology is accessible, a place where children can learn and play, a place where children in our community can develop into the next generation STEM and technology leaders. IGT’s support for our work and for this center has made all this possible,” Walker stated.

With this latest IGT ASA Center in the USVI, it is expected that more youth from the territory will be immersed in various STEM and career development initiatives organized by IGT and its subsidiaries through the IGT ASA program.

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