Cornerstone Collaborative
An Innovative
Socio-Economic Community Ecosystem
Eliminating Poverty & Violence
through Networked Community Development
Do you have a curiosity for technology or a desire to create something amazing? You don’t need to be a coding expert — all you need is the passion to learn and improve. Techquity, offered by Cornerstone Collaborative Jamaica, is a 10-week, hands-on program for students ages 18–26 in the Caribbean, designed to help you explore the world of game development in a fun, supportive environment.​
What You’ll Experience:
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10 engaging classes using the Godot Engine, a free, open-source platform for 2D and 3D games
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A chance to learn at your own pace and grow your skills through practice
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Prizes for participation to celebrate your effort and creativity
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A welcoming community of learners, mentors, and supporters cheering you on
Why Join?
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Classes are completely free, but good attendance is required
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No prior experience required — just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm
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Learn valuable tech skills while having fun and connecting with others
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Step into your potential, explore new ideas, and be part of the golden age of indie game development​
Support Techquity:
Techquity is now in its 7th semester and is completely fueled by volunteers working to close the tech gap. We’re looking for:
Mentors to guide and support students
Business partners to share career journeys, provide guidance, and contribute through in-kind or financial support
Your involvement can make a real difference!
Email Carrie at carrieazan@cornercollab.org to get involved
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Fuel Your Passion with Techquity
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One of our students in JA created this design during a Spring 2024 Techquity class
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Bringing Digital Equity to Jamaica (2022)
The Jamaican Digital Equity (Techquity) Initiative aims to make technology accessible to children who otherwise wouldn’t have access. The short-term objective is to remotely teach coding, website development, app creation, game design, and to foster a welcoming environment for young people. The long-term goal is to create opportunities for expanded learning, higher education, and employment, and to disrupt generational poverty. The platform and curriculum are provided for free to learners ages 7-17 by Cornerstone Collaborative Jamaica working with global volunteers to teach the curriculum virtually.
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Techquity Parent Feedback
"Thank you for providing such an opportunity for my daughter to be a part of. She has enjoyed and benefited from the experience, and has looked forward to each learning sessions."
"Thank you so much for a wonderful semester! My daughter had an amazing time, she learnt so much and is very much looking forward to the next session. Please convey my thanks to Tony and the rest of the team also. It such a blessing for you all to share your time with our children. Your kindness is truly appreciated. I sat in on the awards last night and was touched by how each participant was remembered and encouraged. Thank you again for providing these sessions and in such a warm, supportive environment!"
From Our Head Instructor
​"I feel lucky to be alive in an era where people can easily connect and exchange information from distant places. With the rapidly growing and maturing cellular computing, we've reached a point where number of CPUs greatly outnumber humans. I think it's very important for kids/young adults to be familiar with computing concepts and find it very rewarding to be able to share it with them."
Head Instructor, Tony Fan during one of the coding club sessions
Techquity Coding Club 10/26/22
Tony Fan, Head Instructor
Mr. Fan is a senior technical director at Reel FX Creative Studio. He studied computer science in college and graduated in 2002. Post graduation, Mr. Fan had done a few years of web IT work, but eventually decided that it was not for him. He needed more creative freedom at work so he enrolled in a graduate program at NYU for 3D graphics in 2007 and began a new career at Rhythm & Hues Studios in 2010. It was everything he anticipated and more. Mr. Fan has worked with amazing artists and programmers on "Life of Pie" and "Percy Jackson 2". Unfortunately, Rhythm & Hues filed for bankruptcy in 2012 - shortly before being awarded an Oscar for best CG for "Life of Pie". Mr. Fan started at Reel FX in 2013 and worked on "Book of Life", "Scooby Doo", and "Rumble" to name a few. Mr. Fan says he has really enjoyed the people and challenges here at Reel FX and looks forward to new projects.
Tony thinks programming is wonderful and is happy to support technological skills development and digital equity to children who normally would not have such access. Mr. Fan hopes to help the children explore and discover programming principles with visual examples and perhaps help them find their paths in life.
Romane Marshall, Volunteer Instructor
