Tuesday, March 11 2008

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LEARNING TO READ: Dawn Francois-Cupidore, UTC Westmoorings Customer Service Centre team member, sits with a student in the Literacy Development class...

“Thank you. My child is reading so much better,” said one of the parents of the children participating in the UTC sponsored ARROW programme at the La Puerta Government Primary School.

The ARROW programme allows for development of auditory, reading and writing skills,” says Cornelia Bonterre, ARROW Programme Coordinator,

“The skills learned in the ARROW programme are greatly enhanced by having children in the programme read aloud to an adult for ten minutes each day – and that’s where the UTC has really assisted in making this programme a success,” she added.

Twice a week, staff from the UTC WestMoorings Customer Service Centre visit the La Puerta Government Primary School to have the ARROW programme students practice their reading skills by reading aloud to the UTC staff. This is the second time the UTC has partnered with the ARROW programme.

In 2007 the UTC sponsored ARROW at the Chandernagore Primary School (Chaguanas) to assist 20 students improve their skills.

At La Puerta, 68 students will graduate from the ARROW programme in a UTC sponsored “graduation ceremony” in April.

Partnering with A.R.R.O.W. is but one of many initiatives being undertaken by the UTC as part of the Corporation’s Community Outreach programme. .

Marlon Holder, UTC Executive Director, says he is pleased that our staff continue to embrace this and other Community Outreach initiatives throughout Trinidad and Tobago. “This project is part of our ongoing Community Outreach Programme to build the communities in which we do business,” he emphasised.