UK-JA Foundation team to assist local schools

LONDON:

A team of five UK Jamaicans who are specialists in educational and therapeutic support will head to Jamaica in September to participate in a unique scheme to inspire students affected by trauma.

The initiative, which had identified several schools as being at high risk of violence due to the areas in which they are located, is a joint partnership of the Angel Foundation-UKJA and the Ministry of Education in Jamaica. The visit will focus on early intervention, self-development, resilience, and empowerment for students, emphasising the power of words and respect.

The schools to benefit are;Greater Portmore High, New Stony Hill Technical High, Denham Town High, and Haile Selassie High schools.

The Angelia Christian-headed Angel Foundation-UKJA leads fundraising efforts for schools in Jamaica, with this initiative an expansion of its scope. Organisers say the move was driven by deep concern for the behaviour of students on social media. A release notes that the foundation will be collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and principals on the special two-week tour. The project was launched recently at the Jamaica High Commission in London, where High Commissioner Alexander Williams addressed the group and praised the initiative.

The project is expected to run from September 13 to 29. On September 17, the team is scheduled to host a ceremony for the handover of new equipment at Greater Portmore High School in St Catherine. The donation includes 26 computers, 35 chairs, and junior desks for the computer and Auto CAD rooms. This equipment was purchased from fundraising events held in the UK.