Youth Technology Improvement Program

The GrenVet Youth Technology Improvement Program is actively working to solve the limited access of computers to primary and secondary students on the island of Grenada. Of 115 primary and secondary schools, xx have up to date technology in the classroom.  Grenada is a developing country where 25% of the population are the age of 14 years or younger. The graduation rate is xx. Grenada has a poverty rate of 32%, where 13% of the population live in "extreme poverty". Primary and secondary schools suffer from lack of funds to update their technology, thus children are not adequately prepared for the next level of education.

We donate computer labs to underserved primary and secondary schools in Grenada, which increases children's access to research and information unattainable prior to computers. Teachers use the updated technology (20 computers, 1 printer, and 1 projector) and download updated teaching tools to advance the learning process of students. The computers can also be used to provide adult education and training after school which will positively affect the community. So far YTIP has installed 6 computer labs that have served over 10,000 children and 100 faculty to date. Grenadian primary school children must test into secondary school. YTIP's computer labs will improve primary school children's education and preparation, as well as secondary school students preparation in reaching the next level of study.

The target population is Afro-Caribbean children from the ages of 5-16 years. Due to lack of funds, access to computers and technology in classrooms is limited, if it exists. Children are the future of every nation. Our solution creates a brighter future for children with access to a world full of teaching tools. Teachers will have access to learning tools, teaching options, and a variety of online systems that can reach individual students, as well as in the classroom. Primary and secondary education is the foundation of a developing nation. The more access children have to technology and the educational tools technology provides, the better prepared they will be in secondary, post-secondary, and higher education. The computers will provide the necessary avenues for children to travel on their way to whatever future they have dreamed. 

The executive director and founder of GrenVet, Heather Douglas, is passionate about Grenada and the Grenadian people. She completed her doctorate in veterinary medicine and masters in business administration at St. George's University. Her experiences on island and volunteering with the community led to the founding of GrenVet and YTIP. GrenVet's board includes Grenadian board members. GrenVet works closely with the Ministry of Education to understand the needs of Grenadian children. Each school that is chosen involves individual meetings with the principals and staff to determine exactly what is needed and what will work best for the space available and students. 

Solve will give GrenVet access to funding, networking, coaching, increased media exposure and software licenses. This will allow more freedom to expand the number of computer labs installed annually in Grenada. Currently one is being installed per year, and the hope is to increase that to 3-5 per year.