Kiwanis Club president donates STEM equipment to Portland alma mater
Published:Tuesday | April 1, 2025 | 12:06 AMGareth Davis Snr./Gleaner Writer
President of the Kiwanis Club of Kendall in South Dade, Florida, Joy-Ann Humphrey, has donated scientific and technological equipment to the George Cohen Basic School in Eastern Portland to support the growth and development of its students.
Humphrey, who described the initiative as giving back to her alma mater, was joined by Club Secretary Diana Morell, Club Administrator Michelle Gordon, and friend of the club Ramona Allen, also from South Florida, for the presentation on Friday.
Reflecting on her early years at the institution, Humphrey noted that she attended the school at just two years old. She emphasised that her goal is not only to give back but also to explore ways to provide continued support, as she believes investing in young students is an investment in the country’s future leaders.
“When I was two years old, I was a student here. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is shaping the world, and I wanted to introduce it to my school in my hometown,” she said.
“As an educator, I decided to bring STEM education back here. Today, I am providing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics supplies for the five-year-old students. We handed out eight tablets and also made a monetary donation of J$150,000 to assist with the school’s needs. Additionally, we provided engineering books and mathematical manipulatives to help children with counting, multiplication, and division,” she added.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Humphrey also highlighted the inclusion of science experiment materials and equipment to encourage hands-on learning.
“As the club president, we develop a project each year, and I wanted mine to be significant. Kiwanis focuses on children, so it was only fitting to give back to the place where I got my start. Simply by reaching out, I was able to secure assistance for this project,” she shared.
Meanwhile, chairman of the George Cohen Basic School, Linton Bailey, expressed gratitude for the generous donation, hoping it marks the beginning of a lasting partnership.
“The gifts and gadgets will enhance learning for our students, and we look forward to future collaborations,” he said.