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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Businessman expands reward programme for outstanding primary school students
Jul 2, 2014 - 5:50:40 PM

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Primary school students receive laptop computers from Paul Smith, proprietor, Electro Telecom. Pictured from left: Ms. Denise Johnson, Science Teacher, Oakes Field Primary; Edward Marshall, Oakes Field Primary student; Mr. Smith; Jada Culmer, Oakes Field Primary student; the Hon. Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security and Howard Newbold, District Superintendent, Northwestern District.

Nassau, Bahamas - For the past 12 years, Paul Smith, CEO of Electro Telecom has rewarded 12 outstanding students from primary schools in the Northwestern District with laptops for their high academic achievement. The philanthropic programme started at Oakes Field Primary, Mr. Smith’s alma mater and later was expanded to Gambier, T. G. Glover, Albury Sayle, Stephen Dillet, Woodcock Primary Schools. Mabel Walker Primary School was also involved in the initiative until it closed in 2012.

This year, 12 students from Northeastern District schools – Palmdale, Centreville, Sandilands, Uriah McPhee, Thelma Gibson and Columbus Primary were incorporated in the outstanding scholar programme.

During the presentations of the laptops on Friday, 20th June, 2014 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 the journey of success.

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

The avid storyteller 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 if they decide to rest 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. The turtle can come from behind and win the race, if they 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 involved with bad company,” Mr. Smith stated.

Dr. Bernard Nottage, Minister of National Security and Member of Parliament for the Bain and Grants Town Constituency was present at the ceremony and recounted his experience with a 40-year old mother of five with little education who wanted a job but had no skills.

Dr. Nottage said it is times like this, that he laments the wastage of human resources in our country. He further stated 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, but rather about celebrating individuals who care for others and who are willing to give students a helping hand.

The national security minister also expressed disappointment at the small number of males being rewarded, commenting that everywhere he has recently gone; the females are at the top. “Where are the boys?”, he asked.

Dr. Nottage used the opportunity to announce the “Every Child Needs a Father” Programme coordinated by the Ministry of National Security, to find a father figure and role model for the countless number of boys without a father in their lives. The programme also seeks to encourage men to be fathers to the children, particularly boys they assisted in bringing into the world.

Dr. Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture was also at the ceremony and pledged his support for the programme with a commitment to find 1,000 men to be mentors for boys. Also offering thanks to Mr. Smith were Howard Newbold, Superintendent for Northwestern District schools and Ms. Dressler Sherman, Superintendent for Northeastern District schools.

Students who were awarded laptops included:

Northwestern District Schools

Albury Sayle Primary School

Chardonnay Garrick

Alexander Carey

Oakes Field Primary School

Jada Cumer

Edward Marshall

T. G. Glover Primary School

Yolanda Erhaboh

Kendra Phillipe

Gambier Primary School

Georgia Mariategui

Deshante Belle

Stephen Dillett Primary School

Cherquell Stuart

Joanna Trogene

Woodcock Primary School

Petula Fowler

Hismanya Ferdinard

Northeastern District Schools

Centreville Primary School

Indaca Gibson

Derhea Smith

Palmdale Primary School

Ashely Cartwright

Pooja Krishna

Sandilands Primary School

Opal Green

Kendrick Lynes

Columbus Primary School

Aaliyah Moss

Shakara Turnquest

Uriah McPhee School Primary

Garvon Bullard

Calvin Pinder

Thelma Gibson Primary School

Niara Black

Drew Wood



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