THE Adult Literacy Tutors Association (Alta) opened the doors to an upgraded training room and ICT centre at its Belmont office on May 14.
A media release said, this upgrade will enhance the organisation’s capacity to serve literacy students, train volunteer tutors, and offer digital access to the wider community of Belmont.
Alta was among ten non-profit organisations selected in December 2024 to receive support through the Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (Epic) grant programme, led by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago.
[caption id="attachment_1156010" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Simone David, finance manager, Shell TT, joins two students at the Alta Online Student Hub in Belmont on May 14. -[/caption]
The upgraded training room is used year-round by Alta’s extensive network of volunteers, including regional coordinators, class coordinators, facilitators, and tutors, and the dedicated ICT centre, known as the Alta Online Student Hub, will provide computer and internet access, not only to Alta students, but to nearby schools and community members, the release said.
“This room at 84 Belmont Circular Road is the engine of Alta. It's where we make literacy happen – in Belmont and in the country as a whole,” said Alta’s founder, Paula Lucie-Smith, at the official launch event.
“By enhancing the learning environment and adding the Alta Online Student Hub, Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad & Tobago, through Alta, are breaking the cycle of low literacy to create lasting positive change.”
This development supports the growth of Alta Online, the organisation’s digital literacy programme designed around Caribbean life skills. Expanding access to this innovative platform is central to Alta’s mission of transforming lives through improved reading, writing, and spelling.
[caption id="attachment_1156011" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Left to right, Peter Cavendish, ambassador, Delegation of the European Union; Arlene Wallace-Romero, CEO, Alta; Paula Lucie-Smith, founder, Alta; Cornelius Wilhelmus Hersbach, ambassador, Kingdom of Netherlands; Romona Boiselle-Romano, director, Digicel Foundation; Elwyn McQuilkin, consular officer, Grenada Trade and Economic Commission; Nicholas Brodber, first secretary, Jamaican High Commission; Simone David, finance manager, Shell TT and Penny Gomez, CEO, Digicel Foundation at the launch of the ALTA Online Student Hub on May 14. -[/caption]
Romona Boiselle-Romano, Digicel Foundation director said, “Partnering with Alta for this Epic initiative perfectly aligns with our commitment to bridging the digital divide. “With our investment of $149,000 in Alta, we believe we can empower communities and foster opportunities for all. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive digital future, ensuring that no one is left behind as we embrace the transformative power of technology.”
[caption id="attachment_1156012" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Students from Melville Memorial Girls’ Anglican School flash bright smil
