Americans becoming increasingly frustrated with non-english speaking(India) phone support, helpdesks persons. Knowing how to setup Network Routers(linksys, D-link), Highspeed Iternet, Modems, Voip Phones, TVs, Accounting software, Sattilite equipment, electronics and Speak English(no patoi) could get you a GOOD job. You can learn how to setup and support these devices from online videos(Youtube) and using trial software. Tell your teenage children about these opportunities so they can focus alittle better. Tell politicians and business people about these opportunities so they can approach companies like Panasonic, Cisco, Dell, HP, Vonage, Packet 8, etc about bring jobs to JA. Yes these jobs are technical but you can learn it in 3 months if you tackle it everyday(6hrs) from your own home. Accounting software such as Peachtree or Quickbooks are not hard at all and you don't have to know accounting, just how to install the software on a PC or a network environment properly. If you know accounting thats an additional $7 an hr more. You can Download trial software from their website. Oh..The location(city) for these opportunites MUST have highspeed internet to qualify for these jobs. Get smart St. Elizabeth

"...additional $7 an hr more..". That's US dollars.

For the young people..

Life is hard sometimes(it seems like everyday), but keep studying, improving, going to the library if you can't do it at home and things WILL work out. Build a computer center by having people like Rebecca and Hotel owners provide a week free of vacation to anyone that brings a new 17" laptop()in exchange....food not included.

Oh...read PROVERBS everyday and hang out with SMART people..........you WILL be smarter. Get smart St. Elizabeth. You have to do it for yourself.

I'm struck by the contrast of these two statements:

"by having people like Rebecca and Hotel owners provide a week free of vacation to anyone that brings a new 17" laptop()in exchange"

and

"You have to do it for yourself."

Why does everyone always rely on Rebecca to do things? Or the hotel owners? Perhaps because they are perceived to have all the time and money in the world. But if you truly want to 'do it yourself', then look at what everyone in the community has to offer.

How about having community members provide free housing and food for these people??? Or a free ride to/from the airport.

Before volunteering another's time and money, how about volunteering your own?

I do want to say that I agree overall with the idea. I've worked in Jamaican schools as computer lab manager/consultant and have always thought that technology would be a great way for local people to leap frog some of the barriers they have to prosperity.

Couple of observations:
1) I don't think its the lack of English skills that put most Americans off when they call help centers and get an Indian voice on the other end. It it the fact that they're talking to someone from another culture with an accent. It similar to when I used to call businesses in Jamaica and had people whig out that I had an American voice. Its not an American/Jamaican/Indian problem, I think its a human problem.

2) The point about high speed Internet access being a necessity its very true, but only half the story. A reliable electricity supply and physical security are also needed. Reliable water supplies are another component.


FInally, who's going to walk the walk and not just talk the talk?

Rebecca again? Don't wish to step on anyone's corns, but high time we leave Rebecca's name out of things and think for ourselves, like people of the past.

Oh my, poor Rebecca! Well said Eric.

Folks, let's not loose the point of the thread- which is an economic opportunity. I think that unfortunately often times people get off-track with what amounts to personal nonsense.

I actually cringe sometimes when I see someone nominating the same people for social work. My oh my! Who are these people anonymously at work here? Folks please stop.
I personally don't know Rebecca, nor do I know Eric, or any hoteliers, but I imagine they just happen to love Treasure Beach and so they settled there. While engaged in their professions, they endeavor to contribute to the community in their way; and wonderfully I may add. But come on, Rebecca is not Mother Teresa and Eric is not Gandhi.
There are many prominently wealthy and able residents of the area who have never lifted a hand to help the community. Perhaps we could start nominating them now and give others a break. Or how about volunteering oneself?

It's so funny to see the usual posters take small parts of the post and turn them into the negative. Reminds me of the Gleaner online(negative, negative, negative). If you read the FIRST post it talks about self-help in TOTAL. A SINGLE sentence, that is directed for the benifit of CHLDREN, is in the SECOND post. That talks about an idea that wont hurt anyone and benifits children. BUT... you have the usual persons that take that single sentence, for the benifit of children and wont hurt anyone, and turn this idea into a negative. Little is said about the FIRST post..but the single post that benifits little children is ATTACKED.

New 17" laptop, tax right off for a donation, new visitor...hmmmm, sounds like a winner to me.

Oh...did I not say "..anyone that brings a new 17" laptop..". What if this anyone brings their companion or family. I did not say "everyone" stays freee...hahhahaahha..

Get Smart St. Elizabeth. Focus..stay out of the negative.