Donation drive for needy, rural schools

ISupportJamaica.com, a crowdfunding platform powered by The Jamaica National Group, is urging corporate Jamaica, members of the public, and persons in the Jamaican diaspora to make a difference in the lives of students who returned to classes earlier this month for the new school year.

The platform has launched a 'School Donation Drive', which seeks to benefit some 14 educational institutions across the country, by assisting to improve the physical infrastructure of the school buildings.

"We have 14 schools on our platform, under the 'Pledge 2 Build Project', a crowdfunding campaign established to upgrade infant and primary schools. There is at least one school in each parish; and we are inviting Jamaicans to donate to upgrade the buildings at the educational institutions," said Phillip Lindsay, operations officer, ISupportJamaica, at the JN Group.

Mr Lindsay explained that contributing to the initiative via the platform is simple and secure. Interested persons can donate by visiting the ISupportJamaica.com platform at www.isupportjamaica.com, click on the project; and then click the 'Fund Project' button, the operations officer explained.

Donations can also be made via credit card, JN LIVE e-Banking, by visiting any JN branch or MoneyShop, and through interbank transfers.

"Jamaicans, locally and overseas, along with friends of Jamaica, can provide financial support to assist in refurbishing these schools," Mr Lindsay informed.

Latoya Harris, director, donor and partnership management at the National Education Trust, said that the 14 schools identified across the country need funding to upgrade infant and primary schools.

The Pledge2Build Project was launched in August 2016 by the Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force to raise funds for capital improvement of early-childhood and primary institutions across Jamaica. Their objective is to ensure that the schools are safe and provide children with a good learning environment.

ONE PROJECT

One such project on the platform is the Oracabessa Primary School, situated seven kilometres west of Port Maria, the parish capital of St Mary.

According to Tameka Thomas-Lopez, principal at the school, the institution is in dire need of repairs to its infrastructure. "The most urgent need is the refurbishing of the buildings, as the present structure is very old, with broken-down floors, leaking roofs, and is an uncomfortable environment for the children," she said.

Mrs Thomas-Lopez said that if the repairs were done, it would provide a safer setting for the children and allow more learning time for students.

"When it rains, classes are suspended, or the children are crammed in a small area; and, if the buildings are refurbished, they will have more space to pursue their education," she explained.

The main buildings were built in 1947 with a nog structure and board flooring, while the additional buildings are constructed with plywood walls on a concrete base. These buildings include the administrative office, principal office, staff room, classrooms, resource room, library, computer lab, canteen, tuck shop, guidance counsellors, offices, bathrooms, music room/stage and a small restroom.

Over the years, the buildings have all deteriorated and they now need to be refurbished.