Youth lobby for inner-city basic school

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Pressed by the desire to help early childhood students in his community, 22-year-old André Cleghorn from Canterbury in Montego Bay has launched a fund-raising campaign to raise $100,000 to reopen the Canterbury Basic School in Montego Bay in September.

Cleghorn, who is a final year student at the Montego Bay Community College (MBCC), is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in business studies. He, along with a group of seven other classmates, recently hosted a marketing seminar in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay as part of their coursework. The funds raised from this initiative go towards rehabilitating the Canterbury Basic School.

"Although this is part of our college course - to organise this marketing seminar - it is two-fold as we are seeking to raise $100,000 to get the basic school up and running again. So far, the seminar yielded $50,000 and we have a few persons who have made commitments, but until we meet the target, we'll press on," Cleghorn said during the marketing seminar held at The Grandiosa Hotel in Montego Bay.

"I used to attend the Canterbury Basic School, and over the years, it has fallen into disrepair. The facility has the capacity to hold 50 students. I am a product of Canterbury and I know that a negative stigma accompanies it, but I want everyone to understand that just as how I have been given a chance at education, I want persons to help us give these young children a chance as well," he added.

Held under the theme 'Marketing Revolution: Sustaining Brand Image and Organisational Success through Meaningful Partnerships', the seminar was aimed at fostering an environment that builds sustainable partnerships, creates awareness of the market, and encourages creative and innovative marketing ideas for business development. The participants were exposed to first-hand knowledge about marketing from industry experts André Dixon of Island Entertainment Brands and Hugh Logan of Caribbean Producers Jamaica.

Cleghorn is a Christian, youth evangelist, and peer counsellor. He is the recipient of the 2011 MBCC's Student of the Year award and the Chairman's Award for Excellence in Leadership. He is no stranger to philanthropy as he continues to assist the elderly and disabled with chores and feeds them in addition to conducting homework sessions for children in primary and high schools who are having difficulties with their studies. He also helps young men to return to the formal school system.