King's Infant School proudly opens

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Pre-primary school children in Long Hill, Whitehouse, Red Gate, and Petersville in Westmoreland now have a spanking new school, thanks to Food For The Poor, which opened the door to the new King's Infant School recently.

The new school is the first institution to be constructed in western Jamaica under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 campaign. It is the second such institution to be constructed under the islandwide programme.

The new school, which can accommodate up to 60 students, has three, classrooms, a staffroom, a kitchen, a sickbay, and bathrooms.

"We want to say a big thank you to Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation - the Canadian-Jamaican donors - who financed the construction and furnishings for the school, as well as to our local and international donors," said Samantha Mahfood, executive director, Food For The Poor, Canada.

"The construction of the King's Infant School is now complete. Now, the important task of leading and nurturing these children continues," said Mahfood. "We are asking parents, guardians, teachers, and the entire community to create a solid foundation of love, care, and discipline in the lives of our children."

The new school replaces the Long Hill Basic School, which formerly served the various communities for more than 40 years. That school fell into disrepair in 2008, forcing students to take refuge as part of the grade one student population at the neighbouring King's Primary School.

Dita Scott-Myers, the principal at the infant school, said she was proud to have the new institution, noting that it would bring renewed focus on early childhood learning and a sense of hope among the young ones in the surrounding communities.

"I am very pleased today. We in this community want to thank Food For The Poor for their assistance. I am sure the children will benefit from it," said Scott-Myers.

Several communities across Westmoreland are poised to benefit from Food For The Poor's Jamaica 50 campaign. These include Culloden, Content, Argyle Mountain, and Paul Island.

Other areas in the county of Cornwall are also slated to benefit from the Jamaica 50 campaign. The list includes Esher and Rejoin in Hanover, Pepper and Bethsalem in St Elizabeth, and Point and Sunderland in St James.

Food For The Poor's Jamaica 50 campaign provides financial grants to students and furniture and school supplies to schools. In 2011, approximately J$1.8 million worth of supplies and furniture were distributed islandwide.

"This is just an amazing development for the children in this community," said Tricia McLean, a parent from the community."Miss Vita (principal) must be extremely happy."