House of Praise Basic blessed by Rotary Club

LLUiDAS VALE, St Catherine:

THE NORTH St Catherine Rotary Club has once again extended a helping hand to the House of Praise Basic School in Lluidas Vale.

Patrick Harris, president of the club, recently presented a desk to principal, Norma Thompson, to assist with outfitting her office.

"Our plan is to try and make all the schools meet the requirements of the Early Childhood Act, so that they can get assistance from the Government," Harris told The Gleaner.

House of Praise was one of four schools in north St Catherine which received desks and chairs, valued more than US$13,000, from the club in 2010.

The school also received a water tank and a pump to boost its water supply system. Additionally, like a number of other schools, the institution got a first-aid kit and educational material.

"We gave books and learning charts in September, which we celebrate as Literacy Month. We exist to serve, children are a big part of our programme, so literacy is one of the main areas of the Rotary," said Harris.

He added that in addition to the four schools which got furniture, other schools in Bog Walk, Linstead and Ewarton received books.

In the meantime, Dianna White, governor of Rotary International District 7020, who was a member of the team that visited the school, said she was impressed with what she saw.

"This is an excellent project. I applaud the principal, she is doing a great job, and the children are wonderful. I love the colour of their uniform, they are obviously very happy children, they have a nice, friendly environment in which to work," said White.

An elated Norma Thompson presented the club with a plaque in appreciation of its gesture.

"I am so grateful because the Early Childhood Commission asked me to create an administrative area and so this desk will come in handy, if it can hold in the space. We are also grateful for the desks and chairs and other items we got from the club last year," she said.

Thompson, a graduate of St Joseph's Teachers' College, dedicated 31 years to the public-school system. In 2005, she used her retirement pension to establish The House of Praise Basic School. There are 45 children on roll.