New Bethlehem United Church,
Llandewey P.O. St. Thomas.
In 1996 it was recognized that, only a very small number of the children in the Church could read. A need was thus recognized. The response was to create a facility to provide remedial reading. The construction of the Vestry and bathroom facilities was expanded to include an area of 100 sq. feet of space, which became the New Bethlehem Learning Centre. This construction was greatly assisted with financial help from Webster Church and members of Webster, especially the contractor.
In May 1998 we commenced the programme not only for the children of the church but of the community as well. The church and the community in partnership with the objectives of improving the reading ability of the children ages 9 to 16 years, providing access to sources of knowledge, teaching social skills and creating cultural activities.
A Management Committee comprising members of New Bethlehem United, Bethesada Methodist Church, Llandewey Baptist Church and a representative of the Police Youth Club, administers the centre.
In October 1998 financial assistance to equip the centre was obtained from People's Action for Community Transformation with a grant of $400,000.00. This allowed us to acquire a computer system, TV/video, furnishings and to pay a monthly stipend to the Co-ordinator. This grant covered one year. The programme has had measures of success, children now read regularly in church, of particular joy is a child who could not read in 1998 now reads well and writes poetry. But it has been a difficult task to have parents on board as folly as we would like, however, the efforts to encourage and sensitise non-literate parents continue.
Summer of 2000 the centre sponsored a computer literacy 6 weeks course to the young persons and adults of the community. We now had 5 computers for this exercise. This was over subscribed but we managed to accommodate date 18 persons in 2 sessions 4 evenings per week over the 6weeks. The Centre now caters to fewer children than when we started, namely, some are now at high schools, and some no longer see their need and some because of difficult behaviour. Rev. Knowles of the Baptist church is our Counsellor.
Funding now comes from New Bethlehem United, Webster memorial, fluid-raising events both outside and inside the community of Llandewey.