Junior Plus assists Woodlands Basic

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The 28 students of the Woodlands Basic School in Hanover are functioning in a better environment after having received furniture, books, toys, and learning aids from the Junior Plus School in Spring Gardens, Montego Bay.

The gifts, which value $600,000, were sourced after the Junior Plus School hosted its annual sports day earlier this year and received sponsorship from parents of participating students. A portion of the $900,000 raised at the time was pledged towards undertaking a charitable activity of the school's choice.

"So before sports day, we look for somewhere that would benefit. We received a shortlist of schools from Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for Eastern Hanover, Paula Kerr-Jarrett, and we visited the schools, and a determination was made to give the assistance to Woodlands Basic School," principal of the Junior Plus School, Jane Harper, told Western Focus.

NEW FURNITURE SOURCED

She said the furniture in the school was too large for the students, so tables and chairs suitable for their sizes were bought and distributed. The interior of the school was also redesigned and a storeroom established. New doors and windows were also installed and electrical fixtures retrofitted.

In addition, a concrete play area was constructed with the assistance of residents of the Woodlands community.

"We also bought a new freezer and placed a new counter in the kitchen. What was important was that the community gave its full support by assisting with the construction work free of cost," Harper said.

Harper said the children were housed in a tent rented by the Junior Plus School during the upgrading, which took place over a three-week period.

"It was good for our children to come and do something for others and see another side of Jamaica, which they would not normally see," she said.

Principal of Woodslands Basic School, Lillieth Brown, said she was grateful for the assistance granted and would take time out to thank the donors for the assistance. She, however, expressed concern that after 27 years, she still did not have a permanent building to house the school.

"We are, indeed, very happy for the Junior Plus School and the assistance that they have extended to our school. It is more than words can say. So we thank them wholeheartedly. I would like to be able to get a parcel of land on which to permanently establish the school because we have been moving so much over the years," she said.