USF’s TAP 1000 trainees give a helping hand

SIX TRAINEES in the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Technology Advancement Programme (TAP) 1000 initiative turned out last Thursday to volunteer in fixing up the St Mary Infirmary in Port Maria.

The six are part of the USF’s programme to train 1,000 youth in information and communications technology.

The one-year programme sees participants attending classes for three months, after which they break for three months before going on to access work-related training for nine months. Currently, they are at the St Mary Municipal Corporation, where they will remain until March 2019 when the programme ends, after which they will graduate and receive their certificates.

The student volunteers were involved in several tasks on the day, ensuring that their time was quite productive.

“So far, I’ve helped to comb some of the persons’ hair. I also fed them and I assisted with some painting, and also with raking up the yard,” Carriel Leith, one of the volunteers, told The Gleaner.

Another volunteer, Yanique Wilson, explained why she chose to give of her service. “I chose to volunteer here because they (residents) need a little help, I guess, and it’s good to volunteer to do something.”

Biko Brotherton, the only male in the group, added: “It feels very good to help out, to give back to the community.”