Former Miss Ja contestant opens her heart to Trelawny

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

In a violent society where the perceived order of the day is for persons to trample on each other, there are still those who are kind enough to reach out to the needy and seek to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

One such person is the 2006 Miss Jamaica world runner-up, Christelle Harris.

Harris, through her charity, The Christelle Harris Charity fund, started in June 2008 with the aim of providing support for patients at the Bustamante Hospital for children, has launched a series of projects geared at facilitating improvements in schools in Trelawny.

The schools currently under renovation thanks to her fund include Dumfries Basic School, St Michaels Early Childhood Institution and Cedric Titus High School.

According to Harris, the basic schools are plagued by unsanitary conditions, and are below standards she is willing to call acceptable.

"I believe it's unfair for people to endure such poor living conditions," said the Miss Jamaica World runner-up.

The Cedric Titus High School has a dysfunctional drainage system. In response to this, the fund has handed over a cheque for $1,099, 800. Harris handed over the cheque herself at a ceremony held at Cedric Titus High School on May 28. The school is well on its way to having a functional drainage system.

Harris lives between the United States and Jamaica. In her absence, one of her very close relations Outram Hussey (grand uncle) will execute the developments on the schools favoured by her fund.

The non-profit organisation is assisted by private associates, Everglades Farms and Harris' family.

However, the former Miss Jamaica contestant intends to seek additional sponsorship for expansion and ultimately broaden the reach of the charity's impact.