Westmoreland, Hanover residents support Labour Day projects

MONTEGO BAY — Residents of Hanover and Westmoreland came out in their numbers on Monday, to labour with love on Labour Day 2011, being held under the theme, “It takes a village to raise a child”.

Approximately 90 registered projects were in progress between both parishes; 40 in Westmoreland and 50 in Hanover. A number of community groups also embarked on unregistered community projects.

The Parish/National projects were the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, Westmoreland and the Westheaven Children’s Home, Lethe, Hanover, Both were in keeping with the national theme, with the emphasis on children.

Clifton Boys’ Home celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. It houses 33 boys, placed there by the Child Development Agency (CDA). The Westheaven Children’s home, which is in its 17th year, has a population of approximately 79 mentally and physically challenged children, also placed by the CDA.

A large number of Westmoreland residents were at the Clifton Boys Home to construct a front porch and tile a back porch at the facility. Hanoverians also turned out in large numbers to complete the Westheaven Children’s Home project, which was started on Labour Day 2010 to cover a drain which runs across the yard.

Superintendent of the Clifton Boys’ Home, Irene McDonald, was overjoyed at the level of support, stating that she was almost lost for word.

“Let me tell you, I am overwhelmed with joy”, she told JIS News in an interview.

“I am glad for it in the community, because the people in the community, and also in the parish, will see that they (the children) are not left out. They are part of us, and I am so happy to have this project here, it is long overdue”, she stated.

Similar sentiments were voiced in Hanover, when Administrator of the Westheaven Children’s Home, Merdella Grant, was asked her opinion on that facility being chosen as the Hanover Labour Day Parish Project for the second year in succession.

“I want to tell you that today, I am really impressed with all the men that have come out, and the ladies too. I do not know when this project would have been finished, if we had to do it on our own”, she stated.

She issued a general “thank you” to the entire Hanover community.

By Bryan Miller