United Way and Partners Assisting Early Childhood Institutions
By: , August 20, 2018The Key Point:
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Board Chairman of United Way of Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes (left), in conversation with (from second left): Chairperson of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh; Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Jamaica, Winsome Wilkins; and Executive Director of the ECC, Karlene Deslandes, at a ceremony held at the offices of the National Volunteer Centre, Camp Road, in Kingston, on August 16.The Facts
- Board Chairman, United Way Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes, said the organisation has provided safe indoor and outdoor equipment for children and staff.
- She noted that through an investment from Jamalco, 357 teachers from 80 early childhood institutions in the mining areas of Manchester and Clarendon have been trained.
The Full Story
United Way of Jamaica has been working with its partners in doing extensive work to assist in improving early childhood education and institutions in Jamaica.
Board Chairman, United Way Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes, said the organisation has provided safe indoor and outdoor equipment for children and staff.
She noted that through an investment from Jamalco, 357 teachers from 80 early childhood institutions in the mining areas of Manchester and Clarendon have been trained.
“These trained teachers will help to increase a number of students achieving mastery in numeracy and literacy on entering primary school. Teachers who are trained in early childhood education are better equipped to significantly improve the readiness of our children to enter primary school,” she said.
Dr. Forbes was speaking at a ceremony, where United Way of Jamaica provided grant funding of $1.472 million to six basic schools islandwide to assist the institutions with their preparations to become certified with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).
The function was held at the offices of the National Volunteer Centre, Camp Road, in Kingston, on August 16.
In recent times, 76 Early Childhood Institutions received fire safety equipment that will benefit 2,735 students.
“Another of our partners 3M [Company] will be providing support for Nannyville Basic School (in Kingston) with the installation of industrial fans. We are very grateful for the support and investment being provided by our donors, volunteers and other stakeholders as we pursue our mission to mobilise resources to transform lives throughout Jamaica,” Dr. Forbes said.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the ECC, Trisha Williams-Singh, called on Jamaicans and corporate Jamaica to partner more with United Way of Jamaica.
“They have done a tremendous job of helping to improve the early childhood sector in Jamaica,” she noted.
United Way of Jamaica was incorporated in January 1985 and is an autonomous non-profit Private Voluntary Organisation registered as a Charitable Organisation and an affiliate of United Way Worldwide.
United Way brings donors, volunteers, community leaders and other stakeholders together to address pressing needs in the society.