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Liquidus supports inclusion to Bahamian students impacted by COVID-19
By Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
Oct 6, 2020 - 9:51:20 AM

Matt Hinkley, CEO of Liquidus.io (back right) donated tablets to the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Nassau. Claudette Rolle, director of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Nassau (back left) was on hand to discuss the donation that went to students on three islands. Shown on the right is Tiffany Glass, principal of St Joseph St Francis Primary School and at left is Akilah Armbrister, first grade teacher. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry.

Nassau, The Bahamas - Thanks to Liquidus.io, almost two dozen students in the Catholic school system in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Abaco now have computer tablets to access their online education. With the learning landscape affected by economic hardship for more than 40% of Bahamian households, there is a great need for computer devices for students.

“Parents have been sacrificing to send their children to independent schools to continue their education,” explained Claudette Rolle, director of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Nassau.  “With the pandemic and loss of jobs, some parents could not afford to supply their children with the electronic tablets students need for online classes.”

CEO of Liquidus, Matt Hinkley, met with Claudette Rolle and Tiffany Glass, principal of St Francis St Joseph Catholic Primary School to discuss the donation. Rolle had thanked Hinkley for the contribution and mentioned that there were students using cell phones as their learning devices.

"At Liquidus, it's important to help where we can," says Matt Hinkley, "We are proud to support the learning and continuing education of younger generations. We believe the Youth Blockchain Business School we recently partnered in was a great initiative that gave digital access and inclusion to students impacted by Covid-19.” Hinkley further said, “This new donation to the Catholic Diocese allows students who were once disadvantaged to have an equal opportunity for their online learning.”

Liquidus.io donated data-ready tablets to the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Nassau that will be distributed to schools in New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama. Shown in the photo from left to right: Claudette Rolle, director of the Catholic Education Centre, Leandra Kelly-Adderley, itinerant principal, St Francis de Sales School, Abaco and Shannals Johnson, vice-principal, Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, Freeport. Photo Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Liquidus.io, a technology company whose vision is to be the “global passport to the digital economy” purchased tablets that were data-ready so that students could get online. For the past two years, they had expanded their corporate support to include youth who were curious about coding and blockchain. Their generosity started with the sponsorship of the 2019 inaugural youth blockchain conference and hackathon in The Bahamas. The event was a social impact initiative to expose students to virtual learning and artificial intelligence and blockchain as transformative technologies.  

In August 2020, Liquidus supported the Youth Blockchain Business School, an initiative to give digital access and inclusion to those whose education was suddenly impacted by COVID-19. The one-month-long virtual learning experience was designed by Harness All Possibilities, Consensys Academy, PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Caribbean, Global Sun Integration, Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas and other private organizations. The aim of the summer program was to close the digital divide and “provide a space for experiential learning; blending business, blockchain innovation and 21st-century skills.” Over 300 enrolled in 5 countries with over 260 tablets donated to students and households to participate in the Blockchain Business School and Conference. Many students also became better equipped for the new school year because of their new devices. More information on Matt Hinkley is available on LinkedIn. On Liquidus and the team – please refer to www.liquidus.io.

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