JSIF Makes Donation to St. Mary Basic School

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) donated items valued at more than $173,000 to the Hamilton Mountain Basic School in St. Mary last week.
The items, which included teacher’s desks, dining room furniture, a stove, chalkboards and student’s desks, were acquired with funds provided by the World Bank. The improvement project was sponsored by the Hamilton Mountain Basic School Parent Teachers Association, which received assistance from the Social Development Commission (SDC) in its effort to approach the JSIF for aid.
As part of the condition for approval for funding, the Hamilton Mountain Basic School Parent Teachers Association, as sponsor, was required to make a contribution of a minimum of five percent of the project cost in cash or kind.
This took the form of two chalkboards, the installation of handrails along the staircase leading to the school’s canteen, and the provision of refreshments at meetings related to the project.
Addressing the handing over ceremony held at the school, Human Resource Manager at JSIF, Grace Ann Miller said her organization was happy to be able to assist the school in it’s effort to deliver quality education.
She said the occasion served to signify that the partnerships between JSIF and the communities with which it works have been successful, adding that these projects symbolized the achievement of a common goal, which was to foster the sustainable development of communities throughout the country.
Pointing out that the investment in the school represented a continuation of JSIF’s support for education and social development, Miss Miller said during the past six years, JSIF had spent more than $500 million on the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of basic, primary and all age schools throughout the country.
She said the Fund was positive that its investment in the country’s education was money well spent, as it served to provide children with a sound education, which would make them productive citizens.
While commending the SDC and the Hamilton Mountain Basic schools Parent Teachers Association for partnering their efforts to make the project a reality, Miss Miller expressed gratitude to the World Bank for providing the funding.