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‘Mt. Salem ZOSO a model’ – JSIF boss

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Omar Sweeney

Clinton PickeringFreelance Writer

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, is thrilled at the transformation that has taken place in the Mt Salem Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO) after two years.

“I think Mt Salem has become a tremendous place in terms of transformation,” he says.

JSIF has been charged with leading the social transformation of the ZOSO in collaboration with other government agencies. In an interview, Mr. Sweeney said at the last social intervention committee meeting just over a week ago achievements to date were reviewed and some long term plans discussed.

“We certainly have executed more than 2,000 social intervention benefits to the residents of Mt Salem, things like registration of birth certificates, civil registration documents (and) health services. Beyond the individual we have instituted public health services such as rodent control, fogging, and those kinds of events.”

On infrastructure, he said there has been drain improvement and cleaning to protect the vulnerability around flooding and waste.

Residents have also benefitted from skills training in tiling and masonry at the community centre and parenting, which, says Mr. Sweeney, “is a big aspect in improving parenting technique for children and parents alike.“ There are also homework programmes among the plethora of activities that he says have taken place.

“We are now focused on the development of the police station and the reconstruction of the school building that we are looking to commence by the end of this year,” he said.

The delivery of socials services by other agencies is a critical component of the ZOSO mandate but after two years the JSIF boss says a couple of small areas of concern remains around solid waste management. “We are still seeing tremendous pile up of garbage that requires intervention of the NSWMA so we’re working along with the community on that.”

Another focus area is the regularization of land tenure in the densely populated ZOSO community.

Mr. Sweeney says the greatest activity has been around strengthening and organization of community groups to be leaders within their own right in the community. He is therefore pleased at how well the Mt Salem community groups had coalesced to put on their own events. “Perhaps the most encouraging report is that they have been able to mobilize financing for their events through private institutions, other NGOs and international partners,” he said.

With no indication from Prime Minister Andrew Holness on how much longer the Mt Salem ZOSO will be enforced, Mr. Sweeney said “The plan now is to move from JSIF influence to community influence a hundred percent and that’s why I feel good about the progress because now 80 percent is driven by the community; what we do is provide the support, the guidance and resources as necessary.”

Describing the programme as “a great experience,” Mr. Sweeney opined, “and I think Mt Salem will always be a model.”

In terms of what happens to the community post-ZOSO and JSIF, he opined, “It’s been two years and I honestly can say that the residents of Mt Salem are owners of their beat; they’re working well with the joint forces, working well with the agencies that are there to help them and what I really want to see is that we are able to retain a presence of government within the community and that will only come if we realize that communities, not just Mt Salem, but all communities, are vulnerable across Jamaica and need to have the presence of state services.”

He said a recently completed household survey looking at issues in Mt Salem indicated that “all in all, we have persons are comfortable with their space, they want to see continued development of their area and so that’s our focus.”

Health crisis looms

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Pinnock points to the overflowing pile of garbage while explaining that recently, the carcass of a dog from the community was dumped there. - AL photo
  • Basic school under threat

Michael Nattoo/Alan Lewin

Residents of the community of Felicity, Montego Bay, led by Principal of the Albion Basic School, Calmin Pinnock, are calling on the authorities to address a vexing situation in that community relating to the wanton disposal of garbage, which includes dead animals, in close proximity to the school’s grounds.

In an interview with the Western Mirror, Principal Pinnock highlighted what she said was a growing a problem which involves some residents dumping their garbage near the gate of the school.

In further expressing her disgust, Pinnock revealed that closer inspection of the makeshift dump site just in front of the school also revealed garbage-covered carcasses of animals from the community.

“I had to close the school for three days because someone dumped the body of a dead dog in the receptacle,” Pinnock explained, citing that students and administrators found it extremely difficult to focus under such circumstances. The receptacle, she added, was recently constructed by Councillor for the Glendevon Division, Leroy Williams.

“This receptacle is for the school only. It was built last year by Councillor Leroy Williams to accommodate the school refuse, but people from all over are coming to dispose of their garbage in it.

In the case of the dead dog, the stench was so unbearable that it was a parent who had to come and remove and burn it so that school could resume,” she relayed.

She continued: “This is certainly not good for us, especially the children.” The improper garbage disposal has also seen an increase in rodents in the area, and with the school being mere metres away from the dumpsite, it may not be long before they make their way to the inner parts of the school, and in direct contact with students and administrators. It is for those reasons why Pinnock is pleading with the authorities. “We are looking at a potential health crisis developing here, so we need the relevant authorities to move in and take charge.”

CONDITIONS RIPE FOR DENGUE

The health hazards do no stop there. Opposite the pedestrian crossing and next to the school gate, a hole filled with stagnant, murky waters has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and with a Dengue outbreak being experienced in certain parts of the parish, Pinnock needs that situation to be addressed immediately.

Additionally, according to Principal Pinnock, “There is no sidewalk for the children to walk on. They have to walk in the street as a result and that’s dangerous, as cars could hit them one day. I am calling on the Member of Parliament, Dr. Horace Chang, to look into the matter and speed up the process involving adding sidewalks in the area. Many children travel to and from school, and they could use those. The Felicity to Blood Lane sidewalk needs to be dealt with,” she shared.

Principal Pinnock is not alone in her pleas, as Justice of the Peace in the area, Orlen Deers, is also calling for help. “We are appealing to the residents to desist from dumping at the school receptacle and we are calling on the authorities to move swiftly in addressing these issues,” Deers concluded.

MASSIVE CLASH

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STRONG CHARGE: Coming strong and hard, Maldon High’s Dannel Bennett lunges hard and excessively at the ball being controlled by St. James High’s Ramapolia Kerr during their Zone ‘A’ ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup showdown at Jarrett Park. St. James High, through a double from marquee player Ewan Barton, won the affair 4-1 to mark off their second victory of the season, moving into third position in the standings. - Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

A stellar showdown involving two former champions highlights this Saturday’s western schedule of the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy Football Competition, which will see the final series of games ahead of the return matches.


Rusea’s and Frome Technical High, gunning for a fourth straight win, come face-to-face in the powerhouse Zone ‘B’ top-of-the-table clash, set to play out at the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland.


Both undefeated are joint leaders of the zone with 9 points, and will be looking for an outright win to separate themselves and remain on course for a place in the next round.


Third against fourth in Green Island versus Hopewell is the other game on in the zone


Elsewhere, another team in fine form, William Knibb, looking to extend their best ever start to a season, challenge Spot Valley High at that school, aiming to mark off a fourth straight victory.


Knibb, which won for the first time against Cedric Titus last time out, have gone undefeated to date after three matches and have conceded just a solitary goal in the process.

Their clash is one of two on in the zone, with Cedric Titus hoping to get back to winning ways, down to face winless Holland at home.


NICELY POISED

Another team aiming to get back to winning ways is Anchovy High.
The Hector Wright coached unit, who had been gunning for a hat-trick of wins, are expected to get back o the winning trail when they oppose cellar occupants Irwin in a Zone ‘A’ affair.

12-times champions Cornwall College, on the road to yet another qualification from the once marquee zone entertain Maldon at Cornwall hoping to continue their winning trail which has seen them drip points in just once game so far.

Cornwall occupies top spot in the Zone amassing 10 so far, three clear of the second place team.

An interesting battle is down to unfold at Green Pond High where the hosts and 2013 Inter Zone round qualifiers engage the St. James High in an affair that could go either way.

Green Pond High is enjoying their best early showing in 6 years and on form they and their opponents, in third spot just a point behind them, are expected to battle right down to the final whistle.

Manning’s already sitting at the summit of Zone ‘D’ seems poised to maintain their stance by taking maximum points away to struggling 2005 winners Godfrey Stewart in one of three games on in the zone.

Also, Maud McLeod held in their last encounter, seeks a return to winning ways against unpredictable Petersfield and Grange Hill and Belmont lock horns.

Twenty-seven (27) other matches are on across the rural areas, all down to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Queen Ifrica rips Dancehall entertainers for lack of support on environmental issues

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Queen Ifrica

Queen Ifrica expressed disappointment with members of the entertainment fraternity who failed to turn out to the anti-bauxite mining demonstration at Heroes Circle in Kingston yesterday.


The artiste made her discontentment clear on her Instagram Live feed, after marching from Heroes Circle to the precincts of Gordon House (Jamaica’s Parliament) along with scores of protesters including environmentalists and Maroons from the Cockpit Country.

“Wi link all some artiste, and some artiste a mek wi know seh dem deh a studio and dem a duh weh dem a duh. But anno crowd wi a look enuh, a response. We a look a touchable response to what is happening in our country,” Ifrica said.

The artiste, whose given name is Ventrice Morgan, also accused persons operating in the blogosphere of showing a lack of support for the movement.

“Mi notice seh di bloggers and di vloggers dem, dem naw support weh wi a do, like dem only waa put up negative tings bout Jamaica. Everyting weh negative bout Jamaica, di whola oonu jump an oonu ready fi slander Jamaica, but as wi seh come togedda inna one voice fi talk fi wi country and wi people dem weh a suffa, everyaddy gone quiet,” she stated.

According to the 44-year-old artiste, all her activism relating to the Cockpit have been apolitical, as she is not a supporter of either of Jamaica’s political parties.

“Dis a no nuttn bout no politics. Some politicians a go try wings yes, and mek it look like wi a form alliance. Wi no form alliance wid no govament. Wi no care who in powa or who in opposition. Dis a people suppm. Wi a stan wid di people of Jamaica to protect what is rightfully ours; a dat wi a defen,’ she exclaimed.

“Andrew Holness have good intentions; Peter Phillips have good intentions and I am sure Noranda (Bauxite Company) is going to say that they have good intentions. But these intentions are not necessarily helping us out as a people,” Ifrica contended.”

She also said she would not stop her activism until Government addresses the issue frontally, and called for all Jamaicans to stand up for their rights, wherever they are infringed.

Source: Urbanislandz.com

Manning’s School Scholar Cops 13 CSEC Subjects

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Geri-Ann Miller at graduation

High achiever, Geri-Ann Miller, has made her school and family proud, having secured 13 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects, including 12 grade ones, in the 2019 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examination.


The 17-year-old Manning’s School top achiever, who hails from Savanna-la-Mar in the parish, obtained grade one in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, English A, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Spanish, Geography and Principles of Business.


She also scored a grade two in English B, that complements another grade two she got in Social Studies in 2017.


“You must never give up, even if you fail. You must get up on your feet and try again. Determination is key and your grades don’t just come overnight. You must keep working at it, even if you feel discouraged,” Geri-Ann tells JIS News.


She says she was quite surprised at the results and accredited her outstanding performance to continuous studying and practising, particularly when it came to Mathematics and the Science subjects.
“It was tough at times. You would have to look over [notes] like for two weeks before the time and try and prepare yourself for those tests. Even if you know the things already, you mustn’t take it for granted. You must still look them over,” she advises.


Geri-Ann says she also had the help of her friends who all “worked together, because we are in the science field. We pull together resources and we share. It’s a group effort, not only self.”


Geri-Ann has always delivered results and strived for excellence. She was first in her class from Grades 7 to 11, as well as the top year group achiever. In addition, the student has been on the Headmaster’s Roll every year with an 85 percent and above average.

“I know it is scary for the CXC exams, but try to do your best and just give it your all. Put out your best and work hard, because when you do, you get what you want,” she says.


Geri-Ann is currently enrolled in the institution’s sixth form programme, where she will be sitting a number of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects, such as Chemistry, Physics and Biology, as well as Pure Mathematics and Spanish.


She aims to accomplish all of that while being a part of the school’s Key and Science Clubs, as well as her church’s Pathfinder Club.


“I hope that at the end of sixth form I will have an idea of what I want to become,” Geri-Ann tells JIS News.


Vice Principal of Manning’s School, Sharon Thorpe, tells JIS News that the students have always performed outstandingly in CSEC and Geri-Ann is no exception.


Ms. Thorpe says that her teachers, parents and friends are constantly by her side as the motivating force behind her accomplishments.
“From first form she has been a top achiever (and) coming straight up to fifth form she has done very well. Geri-Ann is a very hard worker. She is conscientious, she knows what she wants and she goes about getting it. So, we are quite proud about her and her achievements,” she says.


“We put in a lot of hours with the students and the teachers. If they (students) need additional help, they will assist them outside of the classroom,” Ms. Thorpe tells JIS News.


Her father, Parish Health and Promotions Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department, Gerald Miller, says he is elated but not surprised at his daughter’s major accomplishment.


“She has always been a very focused student from primary school. She has distinguished herself [and] is someone who is self-motivated,” he tells JIS News.


“Also, she is from families that believe in education and hard work. I am expecting her to do very well in sixth form. She knows what she is about and she is not keeping her eyes away from the ball,” he adds.

Government Launches ‘Liv Gud’ Anti-violence Campaign

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‘LIV GUD’: Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security, engages Fitz Jackson, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, as he displays green and orange “Liv Gud” bags during the launch of the ‘Liv Gud’ anti-violence campaign. Jackson has applauded the government for the undertaking. He encouraged Jamaicans to be active partners in reducing violence. – Contributed photo

As part of the Government’s drive to encourage Jamaicans to adopt a culture of respect while resolving conflicts amicably, the Ministry of National Security has launched an anti-violence campaign.


Dubbed, ‘Liv Gud’, the national anti-violence campaign is a call to action for all Jamaicans to take a stand against anything that violates good living, and to stand against all forms of crime and criminal activity.


It is geared towards strengthening social inclusion in crime fighting and violence prevention and reinforcing the social contract between the citizens and the State.


The initiative was launched by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, at Roxborough Avenue, Top Range, Mountain View, in St. Andrew, on September 13.


Under the initiative, digital boards have been mounted in May Pen town square, Sam Sharpe square, Spanish Town, Half-Way-Tree; and in St. William Grant Park in downtown Kingston. Murals have also been painted in four communities; and advertisements have been produced for main stream and social media.


Addressing the launch, Dr. Chang said the intention is to take the message across the island and restore the sense of family where Jamaicans look out for each other. He added that this will ultimately redound in creating safer communities.


He said the objective in this programme is to ensure that citizens and community engagement remains a critical aspect in bringing about safe communities.


“Living good is part of the Jamaican culture. Fighting each other, abusing children, abusing women, stabbing each other, fighting and quarrelling between streets and communities is not Jamaican culture. We have, unfortunately, deviated from it too far,” he said.


Dr. Chang said the Ministry is committed to working with communities and the relevant stakeholders in order to “rebuild good personal relationships between all of us as brothers and sisters.”


He said attributes such as self-respect, self worth and self value are the beginning of living good with each other.


“If you understand who we are, where we’re coming from and respect yourself, you are going to respect your brother down there, because we are all Jamaicans,” the Minister said.


For her part, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, and Member of Parliament for Eastern St. Andrew, Hon. Fayval Williams, said the initiative will assist in “ironing out differences” in communities.


Opposition Spokesperson on National Security, Fitz Jackson, applauded the Government for the undertaking. He encouraged Jamaicans to be active partners in reducing violence.

TWO TRELAWNY SCHOOLS TO ABANDON SHIFT SYSTEM IN JANUARY 2020

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erciana, accepts on behalf of the Cedric Titus High School fifty desks and chairs from the Old Students’ Association. Presenting on behalf of the Association is (fourth left) Dr Avril Keldo. Sharing the moment from (l-r) ae Althea Palmer, a member of the Association, Jenel Lewis, student, Laverna Lawson, student; Brtiney Warpe, student, Odane Wright, student; and Devon Brown, a representative from the school board

Come 2020, two of the three remaining high schools on the shift system in Trelawny will move to the single shift system.


According to information coming from the Education Ministry, the Albert Town High School will be upgraded at a cost of $30 million dollars, while Cedric Titus High School will be done at $12 million. Joining them will be Exchange All-Age School in St. Ann, which will be upgraded at a cost of $21.9 million and Port Antonio High, Portland, $30 million.


Muschett High School remains as a shift-based institution, however, it is expected that in the near future, steps will be taken to upgrade that institution as well. Overall, the Ministry has budgeted 93 million dollars for this financial year to carry out the work needed to upgrade these institutions to whole day status.


A visit to the Cedric Titus Primary School recently found Acting Principal, Sonia Verciana, relating that they were elated with the planned action to put the school on a single shift. “We know the benefits of a single shift. The student will be able to participate in more extracurricular activities and other engagements,” she related. She also highlighted that students will be able to leave their homes and return home at a more reasonable time. She was speaking a recent handover ceremony for desk and chairs at the school by the Cedric Titus Old Students’ Association.


She related that for the transition to single shift, not a lot will be required and while the fifty chairs and desks that they received will help, the Ministry will be providing the requisite amount of classroom furniture necessary. She remarked that they are waiting on the roofing of a section of the school to be done and the gazebo to be finished and by all indicators, things should be ready for December. “We are waiting with bated breath and open arms for the change,” she remarked.

“I AM THANKING GOD FOR MY LIFE”

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Lloyd B. Smith

WESTERN MIRROR CEO RECOUNTS ORDEAL WITH ROBBERS

“I am thanking God for my life. I am thanking him because I believe it was divine intervention why I am still alive today.”


Words of a grateful Lloyd B. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Western Publishers Limited and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives after he was attacked and robbed at knife point at a popular plaza along Constant Spring Road in Kingston on Wednesday.


Recounting the ordeal, Smith said he was in Kingston conducting business and decided to stop at a pharmacy to purchase a birthday gift for his daughter., who was celebrating her birthday on Wednesday.


“I made my purchases and when I went back to my vehicle, I tried to make a call, but the phone said ‘No Service’. So, I walked over to the nearby Digicel store to have them check on the phone. I saw two suspicious-looking young men standing close by. I, however, exited the vehicle, walked past them and walked toward the store. It was while my back was turned to them that I felt a jerk and the two boys held me with a knife at my throat and proceeded to pull off my chain, trying to get as much as they could.”


Smith explained that under normal circumstances he would not have retaliated, but this time was different:
“I don’t know what happened but I decided to fight back and they ripped my clothes off. My pants were at my ankles and my phone and wallet were in the pockets, but they did not search them. I put up a hell of a fight crying out for help. A crowd was gathering as I was being battered and body slammed and hit all over. I really fought for my life because I thought that at any moment, they could stab me to death.”


He continued: “They tried to get at my bracelet and tried stabbing me in my head. One of them slapped me viciously and my eye glasses was flung to the floor and the lens flew out.


The ordeal came to an abrupt end when a security guard from the Digicel store came out, and upon seeing him, they ran. The security guard explained that he reached for his firearm. They got away with a part of the chain and a pendant.”


Shaken and bewilderd, Smith retrieved the glasses and the lens
“I am really grateful to God for my life “ he concluded.

BROTHER KILLS BROTHER

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Dale Hylton

Grief and dismay rocked the little known community of Croucher Mountain at Roehampton, in South St. James, leaving residents reeling after a brother brutally slew his younger brother, when a dispute between them Thursday morning turned deadly.


The dead man has been identified as 28-year-old Dale Hilton, otherwise called ‘Leighton’ unemployed of Croucher Mountain, while on the run is his 33-year-old brother, Kevin McLeod, otherwise called ‘Puss Man’ of the same address.

Reports are that about 8:30 am on Thursday, Hilton and McLeod became embroiled in a heated battle, at which point McLeod is alleged to have accused Hilton of molesting goats.


McLeod is alleged to have become further enraged when his brother responded and pulled machete, which he used to chop Hilton in the neck.

A resident of the community said she came to the scene after she heard the quarrel, citing that McLeod at that time panicked and shouted, “Unu come help me carry him go a hospital before him dead.”
However, no one responded, and he fled into nearby bushes.

The body was later taken to the morgue.


The police have since launched a manhunt for McLeod.

Barrington Flemming – Staff reporter

See Better. Learn Better: Principals’ Perspectives

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Acting Vice Principal Ramon Bremmer poses with students who received their glasses from See Better.Learn Better glasses dispensary day on Tuesday.

This week, the Western Mirror caught up with some of the schools who have been a part of the See Better. Learn Better programme, organized by Cornestone Jamaica. Here are their reviews.


ST PAUL’S PRIMARY SCHOOL: “The St. Paul’s Primary School Family has benefited greatly from the See Better. Learn Better programme, organized by Cornerstone Jamaica, who has partnered with the Rotary Club of Negril and Mission of Sight. My entire student body was tested and it was found out that at least twenty students were in need of immediate eye care.

The parents were extremely grateful because financial constrains prevented most of them from having their child/children visit the eye doctor on a regular or purchase eye glasses if need.

I can recall one grade six student having to always sit very close to the teaching board because he was unable to see. He had glasses in the past, but they broke and his parents could not replace them during the time of his crucial examination preparation. See Better. Learn Better came to the rescue. He went on to sit his exams comfortably and got passes to attend a prominent high school. We heartily thank the organizations for their support and recognize the value that they brought to in school. I endorse See Better. Learn Betterto become a national programme to benefit more students.” Camille Davis- Williams, Principal, St Paul’s Primary School.

SHEFFIELD ALL-AGE SCHOOL: “Wows and faces filled with big, bright, beautiful smiles filled the Sheffield All Age School auditorium when students received their new glasses from the See Better.Learn Better programme. This programme has afforded numerous students who would have otherwise had limited access to vision care, the opportunity to get a full eye health and vision exams, thus giving them equal chances to achieve a sound primary education. I have seen were students who had issues seeing the teaching board and participating in various educational activities, are now able to correctly copy information from the board. In addition, we saw a boost in confidence from those doing written activities and participating in experiments due to the ability to see well. Furthermore, we saw incremental increases in some pupils’ academic performance.

The high level of professionalism of the See Better.Learn Better Team is commendable as pupils felt happy and comfortable during the various eye screening and exams.

As a school community, we would like to thank Cornerstone Stone Jamaica, Rotary Club of Negril and Mission of Sight for taking this invaluable programme to the Sheffield All Age School. We expect to see improvements in children learning the 21st Century skills due to the ability to see better and we, therefore, look forward to this continued partnership for years to come.” Ramon Bremmer, Vice Principal (Acting), Sheffield All Age School

REVIVAL ALL –AGE SCHOOL: “The Revival All-Age School has been privileged to be a part of the See Better.Learn Better programme with Cornerstone Jamaica. The students are very excited to have received their glasses and many of them wear them as directed. We have seen great improvement in students’ academic performances and attitude towards work as a result of the new glasses that they were given. One Grade Six student who would normally sit at the front in order to see the board is now able to sit at the back and see the board from where he is. He is now completing every classroom task given. Thanks to Cornerstone Jamaica for helping us to see better and learn better.” Annie-Kay Foster-Wallace, Guidance Counsellor

BARRETT TOWN ALL-AGE SCHOOL: “In the second term of the 2018- 2019 academic school year, Cornerstone Jamaica, through the See Better.Learn Better programme in association with The Rotary Club of Negril and Mission of Sight, through one of our stakeholders Half Moon Rose Hall, impacted our school at Barrett Town All Age. Eye testing was conducted by licensed ophthalmologists and through said initiative, we became cognizant of the various students who had challenges and the importance of being able to function effectively.

The feedback from parents/ guardians were feelings of great appreciation. Teachers and other members of staff also saw improvements in our children’s day-to-day socialization. We are eternally grateful for the overflowing support given by Cornerstone Jamaica and hope that they will continue in said venture to impact the lives of our nation’s children thus enabling them to reach their full potential.

“At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received or how much money we have made. We will be judged by the lives we have touched.” Ventris Edwards, Acting Principal- Barrett Town All Age.


Guidance Counselor, Annie-Kay Foster Wallace with children in their new glasses provided by the SBLB program

Students from Barrett Town and the Acting Principal

written by: Rosalee D. Wood
rosawwesternmirror@gmail.com