PHILIPSBURG:--- Foresee Foundation, the leader in bringing 21st century ICT education to St. Maarten, is pleased to announce that both Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Bourne-Gumbs, and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications, Mr. Connor, have officially endorsed the DigiKidz Project founded and operated by Foresee.
In her letter to Foresee, Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs explains that "[w]ith the ever-changing innovations in technology and learning, we value the initiatives of the Foresee Foundation and its DigiKidz project. With that said the Minister officially endorses the DigiKidz project for the advancement of Technology in Education on St. Maarten." The Minister also encouraged the formation of educational partnerships and called upon private business and community organiations to additionally endorse and further support the DigiKidz project.
Minister Claret Connor, responsible for Telecommunication, also acknowledged the important need to bring Technology into the nation's educational system and expressed his support to the DigiKidz project in "its effort to bring 21st century learning through ICT to the students of St. Maarten." He reiterated that the "Government of St. Maarten recognizes that the ICT education initiative is one that all students can and will benefit from."
Foresee Foundation and the DigiKidz Project Team are excited and encouraged with the support they have received from both Ministers. According to the President of Foresee, these endorsements support the core concept of Foresee (4C), setting up innovative projects through Communication, Collaboration, Creative and Critical thinking. These four core aptitudes are the way forward for 21st century learning.
Foresee Foundation was founded and the DigiKidz Project launched in 2013. As the result of an amazing grant provided by Windsong International Foundation, a total of US$500,000.00 was invested in three DigiKidz projects: 2 schools (Asha Stevens' Hillside Christian School and Seventh Day Adventist School) and the DigiKidz Medialab at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. To date, over 2,000 children have participated and profited from these initial DigiKidz projects and the DigiKidz Project Team is looking forward to bring this experience to all the children of St. Maarten.
All three projects have been very well received. The 'secret' formula for success lays in the comprehensive approach taken by the DigiKidz Project Team. In addition to bringing IT devices into the schools, strong emphasis is put on the network structure, training of staff, close collaboration with school boards and management, and the creation of ownership among all stakeholders, including students (the "Digi kids"), teachers, parents, management, school boards and the larger community.
The endorsements from both Ministers in collaboration with Foresee's current plans to fundraise for its next projects is fully in line with the modern vision that in strong communities, government, the business sector and other organizations/NGOs jointly work together on achieving the ambitious goal of bringing ICT into all classrooms on St. Maarten.
As evidence of this vision becoming a reality, as a result of the recent fundraising event at Moomba Restaurant, Foresee has received cash and in-kind funding of nearly US$100,000.00 for use in future projects. In the upcoming months, Foresee will continue to 'walk the talk' with its fundraising drive, following up on a number of scheduled meetings and commitments with the private and public sector. UTS, who gave an early endorsement in October 2013, is currently in talks with Foresee to provide additonal wireless internet and network infrastructure support. Tel-Em offers free internet connectivity to all DigiKidz projects and was mentioned by Minister Connor in his endorsement for the DigiKidz projects. In addition to these premier Sponsors, Rotary Club St. Maarten Mid Isle and the Indian Merchants Association have also pledged their premier support by sponsoring the next DigiKidz School.
More information about the DigiKidz@ St. Maarten project can be found on their website and Facebook page: "digikidzsxm.com". Interested persons/businesses who like to join and support DigiKidz can contact the DigiKidz Team at (721) 581-5050 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
