Main fundraiser photo

‘Fi Wi WiFi’ for kids in Rural Jamaica

As in many parts of the world the internet has become the only way children can expect to get some semblance of an education as in Jamaica. An article was published in 'The Jamaica Gleaner' on October 5, 2021. This platform does not allow viewing of the article but the headline below speaks for itself even without the pictures of the children on the roof in their school uniforms.
In the populated mountains far from the major cities in Jamaica, the seemingly forgotten people in the rural country parts are 'buying credit' to put on their phones to access education for their children, sadly most are being left behind. What does this say for the future of these children?

In 2016 Jamaica International Reggae Museum Inc., embarked on a cultural preservation project and began to build an 'Earthship', an unique sustainable structure to archive and honor Jamaican, Music and Culture in Alva, Nine Mile, St. Ann.
We had a great turnout and interest from all parts of the world as seen in the videos below.




Since the visitors did not have access to internet communication during their visit, it brought attention to the primary need to immediately focus on getting access to the ‘net ‘ which unfortunately took a few years by very innovative and creative means. Luckily, by finding a very smart technician with a degree in his field, we presently provide internet access in sections of Alva, Nine Mile St. Ann and many of the forgotten places in Jamaica. For years now we have been able to share the internet into communities, over mountains and valleys using some very sophisticated equipment and technical expertise.

Many neighborhoods within the originating hub of Manchester and across the existing 15 miles access point to access point over the mountain path to St. Ann, want to share in the available wireless internet signals. The equipment, purchase and delivery to these communities is costly for the non for profit. It is not funded but for personal contributions and donations of my technician's time to remotely, from the USA where he is based, run and monitor the system using some wonderful Ubiquity products. We have 'boots on the ground', and it is 'kinda' hilarious that we have trained a farmer in the community to do hardware installations, enabling myself and my technician to manage the software aspects remotely from wherever we are in the world..NOW THAT'S TECHNOLOGY AT WORK!!
Its a great synergy of community involvement as all benefit. We are promoting technical skills and job creation.

Because the pandemic has now accelerated this to an urgent call for help, internet access has become the non profit's main focus. Perhaps the cultural preservation and the internet access funding can all be done with enough support with this Go Fund Me platform. The cultural preservation project as described on the website highlighted below will continue to be a most treasured and not too distant goal.

As Director of Jamaica International Reggae Museum Inc., I would like very much to expand our outreach into other communities that WE ARE ABLE TO REACH in rural Jamaica like Alva, Nine Mile, St. Ann, my personal roots and proud to say the birthplace of some our greatest musicians and artists.

Perhaps if you know of a community where internet seems impossible, maybe we can help in creating an access point for you and the children in your community. Be sure to send me messages. At this time our children need critical and crucial support, and if we work together we can make a big difference.


Pics of one of my remote wireless internet access points:
These items, already in place, transmit the wireless signal into the rural communities
up to thirty miles depending on the type of Ubiquity free band radio.




Litebeam 5AcGen 2:

The above item is installed on each home to receive internet. (Need these) $70 US


Technician installing an access point.
Routers (any brand) that we need to bring the internet into each home. ($20 US)

You can make a difference by donating today to Jamaica International Reggae Museum Inc.

**************DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE in the USA***************


We can take equipment donations:
  • Ubiquity Lite Beams 5 Ac Gen 2
  • 'Tenda' or 'Nexxt' Routers

Donations of equipment or funds to purchase will be greatly appreciated.

If mailing equipment for shipping to Jamaica: please use the address below:

For equipment donations only:
Send to :
Jamaica International Reggae Museum Inc.
C/O ENDZ International Shipping
3491 NW 19th Street
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33311

Upon receipt you will receive a letter thanking you for your 'charitable donation', so please remember to include your contact information.

Organizer

Jamaica International Reggae Museum Inc
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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