BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING the recent clarion call by the Superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prison, Juni Hodge, for members of the private sector to donate towards the rehabilitation programmes for residents of the penal institution, a construction company has responded with a donation of two HP Computers.
The donation was made yesterday (Jul. 21) by RAZO Construction at a simple ceremony held in the company’s Southeast Peninsula office.
The gesture, which was initiated by popular radio personality Andre ‘Magic Man’ Quow-Phipps, saw the corporate citizen spending over US$1,000 to procure the computer that would assist in the rehabilitation programmes.
At the handing over ceremony, Phipps thanked the company for answering the call, while explaining that the need for computers and other educational materials were relayed to him during a visit to the penitentiary to speak to the residents on the topic of Human Rights.
Phipps said it was out of that need he had called on a few friends to make donations, and David Di Rienzo, President and CEO of RAZO Construction, declared that he would donate the computers and a number of chairs.
Though the chairs were not among the donation yesterday, Phipps explained that they were ordered and would be handed over shortly.
He told this publication that the government normally waives the duty on items purchased overseas for such gestures, and that Di Rienzo had indicated if he had knowledge of that, he would have made more purchases.
In addressing the gathering, Di Rienzo seized the opportunity to commend Phipps for the initiative, noting that it is a pleasure for him to help the residents at HMP and also to give back to the community whenever his company could.
“We are dedicated to building a strong culture of helping each other, and there is no better way in doing that but by leading by example. I would also like to give a big thanks to Magic for being a great person and a mentor for contribution in the community. His efforts to build a better St. Kitts resonate throughout the entire community.”
Hodge, in thanking the RAZO Construction, noted that the computers would assist in the prison having “a better turnout” in the reintegration of prisoners in society.
He disclosed that they are in the process of constructing a barrack to accommodate the prison’s male officers so that they could be better able to carry out their duties.
Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Shawn Richards, who was also present at the ceremony, said that the computers would go a long way in helping the residents to be rehabilitated.
“As the Minister of Education, I can say to you that when results do come back from CXC and CAPE for the prisoners, I am always impressed by the fact that even though you may not have a large percentage of the population writing subjects, those that do write subjects they bring back very good results,” Richards said.
The construction company has in its employ, several former residents who would have committed minor offenses and served their time; an initiative that was commended by all in attendance at the presentation.
