Trelawny, St. James Youths Benefit from Labour Day Projects

MONTEGO BAY — Approximately 360 students of Troy Primary and the Clarence Brimm Basic schools in Trelawny, will be in for pleasant surprises when they return to school today, as they will find their schools nicely painted, canteens extensively repaired, and running water to enhance the school’s sanitation.

This resulted from citizens of Troy and adjoining communities, led by Mayor of Falmouth, Councilor Colin Gager, coming out Monday (May 23), from as early as 8.30 a.m. to give quality work on the two education institutions chosen as the National Parish Labour Day projects for Trelawny.

They painted sections of main buildings and the canteens and installed new and refurbished cupboards, as well as install a 6,000 gallon water tank at the Clarence Brimm Basic, under the national theme, “It takes a village to raise a child”.

Responding to questions from JIS News, Mayor Gager noted that the communities demonstrated unity, and great concern for the children, by coming out to become involved in the repairing and refurbishing of the schools and make them more ‘children friendly’.

He said that, in keeping with the national theme for Labour Day, emphasis was placed on the Troy Primary School, focusing on the canteen area where lunches are served.

“We will be painting inside and outside, we will be making sure that we do a little of the repair work on the doors of the facility,” Mayor Gager told JIS News.

Principal of Troy Primary, Clayton Colins, expressed appreciation to the Mayor and the Trelawny Parish Council for choosing the school, as the facility was in need of ‘serious’ repairs.

“I am sure that everybody here will benefit. The canteen was definitely in need of some repairs, and when they came and said they would have focused on it, I was so glad and this morning, I am seeing it in reality. Thanks to the community for coming out in such a communal way and, in the end, I know that it will be beneficial to all,” Mr. Colins told JIS News.

Principal Colins pointed out that, of the school’s 290 students, approximately 280 have their meals in the canteen, daily.

Labour Day project at the Clarence Brimm Basic School in the Troy Community got underway early, with a positive response from citizens including many past students of the school.

Principal Pauline Brown expressed satisfaction at the repair and painting works. She reported that the Mayor had assisted with the work at the school, including the installing of the water tank.

“I know that the parents will be very grateful because, come tomorrow morning, they will be coming to running water from the tank and a clean school that is painted,” Mrs. Brown told JIS News.

Meanwhile in St James, the national parish project, the Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club, received overwhelming support from the Montego Bay business community, as well as several uniformed groups and government and non-governmental organizations.

The over 60-year-old facility, a training ground for boys and girls in sports, music, home economics and other essential skills, received a facelift, refurbishing of its mural, reroofing of the bandstand and installation of new seating and equipment for enhanced training.

Some 250 persons from the St. James Parish Council, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Social Development Commission (SDC), FLOW, National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the National Works Agency (NWA), the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, were seen on the grounds doing refurbishing work, at a price tag of over $600,000.00.

Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the parish’s Labour Day Committee, Councillor Charles Sinclair, was pleased with the general turn-out of persons, especially the large contingent of youths, including members of the Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club.

“We hope that this will be somewhat of a catalyst. We have had discussions… as to how we can take this project forward, so it’s not going to be a one day project, but we should look at how we can resuscitate and build on the capacity of this institution to ensure that it continues to serve future generations in Montego Bay and the parish of St. James,” Mayor Sinclair told JIS News.

In his comments, Dr. Chang said that he was pleased with the project and the  attention being given to the Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club, which has contributed to the training of several outstanding and successful Montegonians in music and sports.

“I hope that today’s activities will help to bring focus on the work here, and be able to put some more resources in and providing the kind of services that are required to take the Boys’ Club to another level,” Dr. Chang told JIS News.

By GLENIS ROSE, JIS Reporter