CHASE Assists Basic Schools in Kingston

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund continues to provide assistance to Jamaica’s early childhood institutions.
Recently, the Fund donated $2.58 million to carry out extensive repairs to the Operation Friendship and Regent Street Seventh Day Adventist Basic Schools in Kingston.
The Operation Friendship Basic School, located on Darling Street in downtown Kingston, benefited from a significant face-lift at a cost of $1.79 million.
Work included the installation of additional sanitary conveniences; construction of a lunch area; the installation of play equipment; and the construction of a computer room. The Fund also provided three computers and educational toys. The entire school building was also repainted.
Principal of the school, Ismay Walker told JIS News that she was thrilled with the work done.
“The physical environment of the school was very poor.there were windows and doors missing. The building itself needed painting and everything wanted a face-lift,” she said. Miss Walker said the renovation of the school was a momentous occasion for her, as she had previously written to many non-governmental organisations seeking help, to no avail.
However, she informed JIS News that former Member of Parliament, Edward Seaga had written to CHASE informing them of the urgent needs of the school and other early childhood institutions in the downtown, Kingston area, adding that the Fund responded favourably to the request for help.
The Principal said her staff of four teachers and the 90 young students who attend the school were very happy with the upgrading of the school.
“Everybody, including teachers, parents and the wider community are pleased to see this, because right now the place is more comfortable, and we feel more comfortable,” she noted. At the Regent Street Seventh Day Adventist Basic School, also in downtown Kingston, work was carried out at a cost of $787,000. The money was used to purchase desks and chairs; to construct a fenced play area with swings and slides for the young students; and to remodel a room, outfitted with two computers. Principal of the school, Audrey Patrick told JIS News that the school was now “an enhanced learning environment”. She said the students felt more comfortable and this should help in the learning process.