The Bahamas has officially joined the global Raspberry Pi Foundation network with the launch of its first student Raspberry Pi Coding, AI and Robotics Club at Saint Anne’s Anglican School. This historic milestone makes The Bahamas only the third Caribbean country to be registered under the Raspberry Pi Foundation, alongside Haiti and Aruba.
About 40 young students, some as young as seven, gathered with curiosity and excitement as they were introduced to a world many had never seen up close—coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
The initiative was led by the Rotary Club of East Nassau, its Rotary After Dark Satellite Club, and the school’s Interact Club, marking more than the start of a programme—it signaled the beginning of new possibilities for Bahamian children.
Through a live demonstration featuring a computer and a robot, students were given a first glimpse into how technology can be created, controlled, and understood. For many, it was their first exposure to coding, sparking curiosity, excitement, and imagination.
Leading that introduction was Howard Evans, Chairman of Rotary After Dark Satellite Club of East Nassau (R.A.D.) and Incoming Director of Environment for RCEN. Evans, who has 15 years of experience in software development, offered his mentorship and expertise to inspire the next generation. A former Programmer Analyst at AdventHealth (parent company of Florida Hospital) for seven years, Evans has spent the past nine years working in the insurance industry in The Bahamas, applying his skills to critical systems. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Top Software Technologies, a consulting firm that helps companies advance in software development. A proud Saint Anne’s alumnus, Evans returned to his alma mater not just to teach, but to give back—sharing his professional journey and guiding students toward future opportunities in technology.
His presence made the moment even more meaningful.
Mrs. Junann Lewis, Principal of Saint Anne’s School, expressed appreciation for the initiative and for Evans’ willingness to invest in the next generation, welcoming the effort as a step forward in expanding opportunities for students.
In the weeks ahead, the programme will move into structured, hands-on learning. Students will begin with Scratch to build beginner programming skills, then progress into Python for robotic programming. They will explore artificial intelligence concepts, including machine learning and data training, to strengthen their problem‑solving abilities and prepare them for future opportunities in technology. The long-term vision is to equip Bahamian youth with skills that open doors locally and globally, while strengthening industries at home.
But on this day, the focus was simple and powerful: Exposure.
Young minds were being shown that technology is not just something they use—it is something they can create.
The launch was supported by a committed team of Rotary leaders and community partners, including District Governor Elect Lindsey Cancino; Valentino Bethell, Incoming Vice President of RCEN; Rafique Symonette, President of RCEN; David Slatter, President Elect and current Vice President of RCEN; Kimiko Knowles, Immediate Past President of RCEN; Berchel Wilson, Vice Chairwoman of Rotary After Dark; Andrew Symonette, RCEN club member; Laura Morley, Director of Public Image of RCEN; Mrs Junann Lewis, Principal of Saint Anne’s School; Dianne Miller, Rotary School Advisor for the Interact Club; Father Bartlett of Saint Anne’s Church; Christian Knowles, Past President of RCEN; Karen Knowles, Secretary of RCEN; and Kenrad Wilchombe, Past President of RCEN.
Together, they helped create a moment that may well shape the future of dozens of young Bahamians.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one introduction—one moment of possibility—for a child to begin seeing themselves in a future they had never imagined before.
Source: Felicity Darville
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