AINSWORTH MORRIS
Career & Education writer
Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFP) and Kind Hearts have partnered to construct a third school in Jamaica. The 22 students and the teachers at New Wine Basic School in Snow Hill, Portland, will start their studies in the new building in the new year.
“Growing up in Jamaica, my family has always done a lot of charity work,” said Christina Lechler, director of Kind Hearts. “Giving back to others feels good.”
Kind Hearts is a Jamaican non-profit organisation consisting of the grandchildren of Richard and Diana Stewart, operators of Stewart's Automotive Group.
“Many of us take our education for granted,” said Lechler.
"It is hard to see someone struggling to read when it comes so easily to us. Basic school training is important because that is where the learning process begins."
Wearing a bright yellow construction hat, Lechler helped to hammer the school’s wood frame together. She was pleased to know that the school was under construction as planned before Christmas. She was joined by other volunteers from FFP and Kind Hearts.
“We are happy to have assisted with the construction of this school,” said Lechler during the school’s dedication on December 20. “This is our third school and we are happy to be doing our part in improving the conditions under which our children learn. We anticipated rain, but the rain held up. I am convinced the rain held up because we are doing a good thing for this community. Education is the most important thing.”
The organizations also partnered to construct D. Franks Infant School in Greenwich, Manchester, in 2012, and Top Hill Basic School in St. Catherine in 2013.
David Mair, executive director, FFP Jamaica, said he was pleased with the partnership between his charity organization and Kind Hearts.
“Today’s dedication is another wonderful reminder of how we all can positively change lives and improve community through volunteerism and partnerships. Let’s continue to work together to save Jamaica, whether one school, one family or one person at a time,” said Mair.
According to principal Lindsay-Lowe, receiving a newly constructed building for the 45-year-old school is the best gift they could have ever received for Christmas.
“It feels awesome. I can only use all the good adjectives to describe how I feel. Every time I talk about it, it is like I’m stumbling for words because in the past, getting an entirely new building seemed impossible to achieve,” said Lindsay-Lowe, who has been with the institution for the last 15 years.
She said the school was in poor condition prior to an application being submitted to FFP for a new school building.
“We had a major challenge with space,” said Lindsay-Lowe. “It was one large room and the children were easily distracted, especially when teachers from other classes were teaching their pupils songs and rhymes. The other pupils would want to join in and not do their individual work. Now, we have three separate rooms, thanks to our donors.”
The new school now boasts three classrooms, a sickbay, an office for teachers, a kitchen, and bathrooms. FFP will furnish the school with furniture, and kitchen appliances.
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