National Labour Day project completed in time for opening of school

“We never stopped working,” was the assurance given by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, as she participated in painting activity on Friday at the Gregory Park Basic School in Portmore, St Catherine.

The school was the site of this year’s National Labour Day project.  Several volunteers worked at the school on Labour Day trying to improve the physical environment.  Volunteers also worked in the communities contiguous to the school to eliminate mosquito breading sites in keeping with this year’s focus ‘For Health’s Sake…Keep it Clean’.

In the months since Labour Day, voluntary work has continued at the school to ensure that it is safe and fit for children.  During the works, a severe infestation of termites was discovered.  This required a re-scoping of works at the school.

“We started this project together, we stuck together and dealt with unforeseen challenges, and now because of everybody’s effort our students will have a wonderful environment in which to learn and play when classes resume,” said Minister Grange as she thanked the volunteers and everyone involved in the project.

She continued: “Because of you, our children and their teachers are going to a have a nice, bright and clean Basic school. I want you to help look after it and to teach our children how to keep their environment clean.”

A large team of volunteers including parents and staff were present on Friday to complete the works at the school.  The Minister remarked that it was admirable that so many persons came out to finish what was started.

Minister Grange indicated that the spirit of volunteerism is a key factor for Labour Day and she urged persons who may have unfinished Labour Day projects to complete them.

“If you have a project that you started on Labour Day that has not yet been completed, go and get it done. Doing that shows that we are responsible citizens who are committed to ensuring that our environment is clean,” Minister Grange said.

“Anything that we start, we will finish” she added.