United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) has raised $7.5 million towards the rebuilding of the Jamaica National Children’s Home, sections of which were destroyed by fire in early August. The organisation launched the Jamaica National Children's Home Restoration Fund in the aftermath of the fire, with the goal of raising $10 million by the end of September. UWJ Chairperson, Dr. Marcia...

Thirty high school and tertiary-level students from across the island who are in need have benefited from scholarships valued at $2 million. This was facilitated through the Save our Boys and Girls Foundation, of which wife of the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, is a patron. It was done in collaboration with the Juliet Holness Foundation. Mrs. Holness,...

Ten wards of the State, who are pursuing tertiary-level education, have been awarded scholarships in the amount of US$40,000 by Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc. (COJO), a New York-based Jamaican charity. The awardees were nominated by Children’s Officers from various children’s homes, based on academic performance. They are pursuing studies in the field of education, law, nursing, psychology, architecture, and...

Some 52 high schools are now participating in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s Twinning of Schools initiative. The programme aims to expose students to academic and extracurricular programmes that are not currently available at their own schools. It will also give teachers and student leaders an opportunity to share ideas and best practices with their colleagues in other...

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), through its parenting workshops, is empowering parents in western Jamaica to build stronger bonds with their children. Director for Alternative Care Services at the CPFSA, Eunice Scott-Shaw, told JIS News that the workshops aim to provide parents with critical child-rearing skills. Among the objectives are to instil a greater sense of care...

Education continues to be a priority at the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home, as the administration of the State-run residence pulls out all the stops to provide an environment conducive to the development of the wards in the institution’s care. “The boys are doing very well. We have 10 boys who were placed between first and 10th in their classes,” the...

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) is reporting strong performance by adolescent mothers, who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year. Examination Coordinator, Georgianna Galloway Hill, said that 44 girls were entered for CSEC. “We are pleased with their performance. This year, in six out of the nine core subjects that we entered our students, we...