Earth Today | Danny Williams School for the Deaf makes sustainable improvements
Published:Thursday | April 3, 2025 | 12:08 AM
THE DANNY Williams School for the Deaf (DWSD) is undertaking upgrades to its infrastructure and is keen to safeguard the sustainability of their efforts, made possible through funding from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ).
“DWSD has undertaken a REVAMP! project in which school infrastructure, teaching and learning and public awareness of deaf education are being overhauled. The grant from the EFJ allows us to address a significant portion of REVAMP! phase two which focuses on the structural integrity of the school,” said Dr Keren Cumberbatch, who chairs the board of the DSWD.
The DWSD provides an educational programme to maximise the potential of deaf and hard of hearing learners.
“After almost 30 years of use, the premises needs some rehabilitation. The EFJ project, Structural Repairs to Existing Swale, focuses on environmental sustainability and aims to achieve soil conservation and soil stabilisation. Currently, the swales are being eroded by heavy rainfall. This leads to flooding in some areas of the school in which the walkway becomes completely submerged and the area is impassable,” she added.
According to information from the school, waterlogging due to changes in water flow on the premises has caused building foundations to shift leading to buckling and cracking in walls.
“Rehabilitating the swales will restore the correct waterflow and prevent further damage to the school buildings. In addition to the soil conservation and soil stabilisation, repairing the swales will make water conservation possible,” Cumberbatch explained.
The EFJ’s support, she said, has been critical.
“The EFJ suggested that water harvesting was possible at our location and the engineers agreed. The natural topography of the school compound lends itself to water harvesting. We happily took their suggestion on board. All of the storm water flowing through the swale will be collected and used, leading to a reduction in the use of water provided by the National Water Commission and furnishing an opportunity for students to learn first-hand about water harvesting and the importance of conservation,” Cumberbatch explained.
The anticipated benefits, she noted, are significant.
“Having the water flow directed though the swale should eliminate or significantly reduce flooding in the school quadrangle. Bathrooms and outdoor learning spaces in that area will no longer be unavailable due to heavy rainfall,” Cumberbatch said.
“Students will benefit from uninterrupted use of the facilities. Additionally, some of the stored water will be used to irrigate the school garden which yields produce used by the school canteen. This will help to reduce the cost of meal production,” the chair added.
According to Cumberbatch, the school will seek to ensure the gains from the project for many years to come.
“DWSD is motivated to preserve the gains of this EFJ project and will be implementing measures to ensure that the school benefits for many years. The physical infrastructure allows for easy maintenance of swale and storm water drainage. After the rehabilitation of the swale, the school groundsman will have light work of maintaining its shape,” she said.
“DWSD will ensure that these duties are not neglected so that the swale does not fall into disrepair in the coming decades. The waterflow will be channelled into the water tank and this system will be monitored to ensure it works efficiently. The kitchen garden will continue to be an arm of the 4H Club with students learning to cultivate, reap and eat the fruit of their labour. We hope that, where possible, the students can replicate the garden at their homes,” Cumberbatch added.
The DWSD is run by the Jamaica Association for the Deaf with limited support from the Government of Jamaica. The institution has more than 60 students starting as early as 18 months for preschool through to grade six.
DWSD was among the 10 local entities earlier this year awarded more than $51 million in grants by the EFJ to support their conservation work.