A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM: These students of Green Island Primary School in Hanover were fascinated with the token that donor, Mary Yaggie, received during the handing over of an expansion and renovation project at the school on December 1.
Claudia Gardner
Gleaner Writer
Green Island Primary School in Hanover, officially unveiled its two newly constructed blocks of classrooms and refurbished facilities, undertaken by Food For The Poor (FFP), at a cost of $50 million.
The building was the largest investment made at a primary institution by FFP in Jamaica, bolstered by a US$250,000 (J$25 million) donation from American philanthropists, Mary and Mike Yaggie, and members of their extended family and friends.
The work undertaken included the construction of two blocks of buildings, each comprising 10 classrooms, renovation and re-roofing of the original structure, expansion of the library, tuck shop, and storage area, a garden gazebo, and a 10,000-gallon water-storage tank.
During the official opening ceremony last week, Principal Vaccianna Mosley said that, in the recent past, students of the institution were often at the mercy of the elements, as the vastly overcrowded building had fallen into disrepair.
"This year marks 95 years of Green Island Primary School's existence. After all these years, natural progression would dictate (that) a school with old, dilapidated infrastructure, nature should have taken its toll, but thanks to our friends, it is not so," Mosley said in his address.
"Our school was a 'bruck-dung' school. We had classrooms that we called chicken coops, and the children called it chicken coops because it was made of mesh. Funnily, the chickens of the neighbours thought so, because, at times, we found eggs in them," said Mosley. "We had a serious termite infestation. Our classes were overcrowded because of the limited classroom space. When rain fell, it poured, not only outside but inside."
"Excessive noise was not a nuisance, it was a culture," continued Mosley. "The first time I attempted to teach a class, I had to stop and leave because I could not hear my own voice. Most of the time, the classes were divided by chalkboards. It was total chaos."
The principal said the school's transformation began when Couples Negril adopted the school, undertook painting jobs and presented the institution with a state-of-the-art playground. He said Sandals and RIU resorts came on board, as well as councillor of the Green Island Division, Shernet Haughton.
"The miracle came when we sought assistance from Food For The Poor. They came to our school and, indeed, they saw our plight and they felt our pain. They promised to help," he said.
"We are humbled by this generosity. This is living testimony of human kindness. You cannot imagine the magnitude of the impact of this gift, not only on the immediate school community, but on all who interact with us. You had choices, and you chose to help us. You have invested in our nation's children, and for this our country is indebted to you. Your contribution will assist many generations of children to come."
Donor Mike Yaggie, who partnered with FFP, told Western Focus that he and his wife were looking for a project to sponsor. They were saddened when they visited the school on a rainy day and saw the conditions under which the staff and students were housed.
"We were moved by Mr Mosley, the kids and the teachers," said Yaggie. "We have been so blessed in our financial side and we get more blessed the more and more we give."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/western-focus/20151215/green-island-primary-gets-food-poor-upgrade
$50 MILLION BOOST FOR GREEN ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL: One of the new two-storey building which was constructed by the Yaggie Family in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica for Green Island Primary School in Hanover.
10 NEW CLASSROOMS FOR GREEN ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL: Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, with funds from the Yaggie Family, has completed its first major primary school renovation project at Green Island Primary School in Hanover. The project includes the: installation of a new roof and dry wall partitioning, repainting of school, renovation of library, construction of 10 additional classrooms to replace a dilapidated stand-alone structure which housed three classrooms, provision of fans and school furniture and the construction of a new kitchen for the school. Here, participating in the ribbon cutting of one of the new buildings were students from the institution and (from left) The Honourable Reverend Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education; Ian Hayles, Member of Parliament; David Mair, Executive Director of Food For The Poor; Don Yaggie, Donor; Vacianna Moseley, Principal and Father Nunito Bersola.
ESCORTING MINISTER THWAITES: These students from Green Island Primary School in Hanover were pleased to lead The Honourable Reverend Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education after their newly renovated and expanded school was officially handed over on December 1.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FROM GREEN ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL: Students from Green Island Primary School delivered a captivating performance during the official handing over ceremony of 10 additional classrooms and renovation project at the Hanover institution on December 1. To the left, donor representatives, the Yaggie family and friends are capturing the performance with their smart devices.
THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF GREEN ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL’S NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK: It was a happy day for the students and teachers of Green Island Primary School in Hanover as they participated in the handing over of new classroom facilities at the institution on Tuesday, December 1. With funds from the Yaggie Family, Food For The Poor installed a new roof and dry wall partitioning, repainted of school, renovated the library, constructed 10 additional classrooms to replace a dilapidated stand-alone structure which housed three classrooms, and provided fans and school furniture. Proudly sharing in the ribbon cutting exercise were students from the institution as well as Mary Yaggie, donor and Vacianna Moseley, principal.
THANK YOU FOR RENOVATING & EXPANDING OUR SCHOOL: Mary Yaggie, donor from the United States of America is all smiles as she accepts a gift from a student of Green Island Primary School in Hanover during the handing over ceremony of additional classrooms on Tuesday, December 1. She and her husband Mike Yaggie donated approximately $50 million towards the renovation and expansion of the school.
THANK YOU, MINISTER THWAITES: The Honourable Reverend Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education, accepts a gift from a student of Green Island Primary School in Hanover for being the keynote speaker at the official handover of their new school building on December 1.
GIVING THANKS FOR GREEN ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL: Father Nunito Bersola (left) offering blessing on the newly-expanded facility at Green Island Primary School located in Hanover during the handing over ceremony on December 1. Witnessing the occasion were (from second left) The Honourable Reverend Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education; Ian Hayles, Member of Parliament; Mary Yaggie, Donor; Vacianna Moseley, principal and other donor representatives from the United States.
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