On Friday August 29th 2025, Sixty-five families have received donations from the WINBVI SmartStart Programme.

The WINBVI SmartStart Programme is a community initiative provides temporary internet service, laptops, gift certificate and textbooks to families in the British Virgin Islands.

Devices were among donations from WINBVI. Photo: Facebook

This community initiative provides temporary internet service, laptops, and textbooks to families in the British Virgin Islands.

Alicia Green, President of WIN BVI stated, "This marks our second year of launching this crucial initiative aimed at fostering educational equity in our community. The program is a collaborative effort between local community organisations and government entities, designed specifically to support families struggling to access essential digital resources for their children’s education. Many families face challenges due to a lack of necessary technological devices or financial resources to support their children's academic growth."

The SmartStart program has two key objectives and Green emphasised, "We encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s learning process and aim to empower parents by providing them with the tools and equipment needed to enhance their own skills. Whether it’s conducting research for professional development or preparing for career advancements, the resources available through this initiative are designed to uplift the entire family unit. We are proud to offer a unique internet service as part of our initiative."

Rigorous selection process

The selection process for the SmartStart program is rigorous and thorough, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most. Families applying must provide detailed information, including their employment status—whether currently employed or unemployed—their financial situation, household dynamics, and the total number of people living in their home.

Green explained, "We analyse this data to determine eligibility for requests such as internet access, laptops, or necessary educational materials like textbooks. It’s important to note that not every applicant will qualify for every type of assistance; our evaluation is based on a careful examination of their specific circumstances. For instance, some applicants may already have internet access or have been maintaining service."

In some situations, the organisation collaborates with partners to help families regain reliable internet access if they encounter interruptions in service.

Green noted, "Year after year, we see a significant demand for laptops, as it’s disheartening to witness children attending school without access to the tools they need to thrive. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and we believe that access to technology is a fundamental part of that equation."

She further stated, "I want to emphasise that the SmartStart initiative is not solely focused on the educational needs of children. We also aim to empower parents by providing them with the skills necessary to navigate the digital world—whether it’s learning how to conduct online research, fill out job applications, or engage in other important online activities. Through this initiative, we strive to create a more educated and equipped community, benefiting not just our children but the entire family."