US Students Refurbish Westmoreland Schools

Savanna-la-mar Deputy Mayor, Paul Wilson.

Deputy Mayor of Savanna-La-Mar, Councillor Paul Wilson, addressing the Westmoreland Parish Council’s monthly meeting on Thursday (January 12).

Thousands of students in Westmoreland are benefiting from extensive refurbishing works, carried out at their schools by students from New Hampshire University in the US.

The 18 students, who vacationed in Westmoreland during the recent Christmas holidays under the parish’s “village tourism project”, provided the material and funding to refurbish unfinished classrooms, sanitary facilities and roofs, giving a facelift to schools such as Cooke’s View, Ferris and Petersfield Primary, as well as the Galloway Early Childhood Institute.

The students, also brought volumes of educational supplies and other related material and equipment for the schools, and did extensive voluntary work with the Citizen Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) during the recent General Election, observing proceedings in the parish.

Deputy Mayor of Savanna-La-Mar, Councillor Paul Wilson, speaking at the January 12 Council meeting, congratulated local coordinator of the group, Matthias Brown, for making the visit possible.

“I certainly hope that your trip was enjoyable and profitable. Thanks very much for the work carried out at our schools, and thanks for visiting at a time as this, so you could participate in our recent elections,” The Deputy Mayor told the US students.

Mr. Brown indicated that other students had visited the parish to commence the refurbishing of the schools, and these students decided to come and complete the project.

“They have done a tremendous job in completing the classrooms and (the) painting works, so that our students can have more comfort as they learn,” Mr. Brown said.