Monthly Archives: May 2018

THE Louise Bennett-Coverley All-Age School in Gordon Town, St Andrew benefited from a well-needed facelift with the repainting of its buildings, de-bushing, landscaping and paving from Labour Day activities organised by the JN Foundation.

Onyka Barrett Scott, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, said the school was selected based on the national focus on the areas of health and education, under the theme, “Ramp It Up, Fix It Up”.

“Today, we wanted to take on schools and health institutions off the ‘beaten track’, hence we identified projects in the Corporate Area and rural parishes, where our participation, with the help of volunteers, would make a difference,” she said.

“We are out in Gordon Town and it is a pleasure working alongside the teachers, community and past students to improve the school environment, “ she stated. “The educators were delighted for us to be here,” she added.

Wayne Mullings, principal of the school, said that he was grateful to have the JN Foundation and its volunteers on board, to undertake the needed refurbishing at the school, which is named after one of the country’s cultural icons, Dr Louise Bennett-Coverley.

“We have been trying to improve the environment of the school to make it more conducive to teaching and learning. However, the bathrooms are currently in a deplorable condition and require painting and fixing up. We are, therefore grateful to have the JN Foundation on board,” he said.

He explained that the school, which started in the 1930s, has evolved over the years from being the Gordon Town All -Age School, and was renamed The Louise Bennett-Coverley All-Age School in 2009, in her honour.

“One of our first board chairmen was Eric Coverley, husband of the late Louise Bennett-Coverley; therefore, we were proud to have the Coverley family being an established part of the institution,” he explained.

Mullings also revealed that in 2016 the school was reclassified as a primary school; and is now focused on improving its enrolment numbers and reposition it as a school of choice in the community.

He said that the students were outstanding in sports and cultural activities, won several competitions and performed well in academics.

“We were in the top 10, in terms of performance in the Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT) for many years. Most students who came to us from the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) were students performing in the mid-20s and 30s; and we were able to transform those students to high 80s and 90s as they prepared to sit the GNAT exams,” he related.

He also said students made significant improvements in the Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Exams; as well as the GSAT exams, with a significant number of students from the last cohort achieving passes for traditional high schools.

Philishea Garnett, JN act!on volunteer, said the Labour Day experience at the school was amazing for her, and that a project of this nature was dear to her heart.

“Students need to be in a comfortable environment, where they can play and feel safe. Therefore, what we are doing today will mean a lot to them,” she said, pointing out that, “Citizens should try to embark on projects, especially on Labour Day, as it is ‘a give back’ to other persons in the widersociety.”

Barrett Scott said JN Group staff members joined with volunteers from the JN Foundation’s Act! on Jamaica and implemented Labour Day projects in the Corporate Area and rural parishes.

The Percy Junior Hospital in Manchester was repainted and the bathroom facility upgraded by the JN Manchester Branch. The Type 5 Health Centre in Montego Bay and the Falmouth Health Centre were also painted and ramps installed, by employees and volunteers in Montego Bay and Falmouth.

See the original article here!

JN Group Provides Relief for Victims of Walker’s Place Fire
They’re coping, however, the effects of the trauma lingers in the minds of many of the children and care givers who escaped the flames from the  fire at Walker’s Place of Safety in Kingston, on the tragic night of January 15.
“It will take long term treatment,” says Leroy Anderson, manager of the Jamaica National Children’s Home (JNCH) in Papine, St Andrew.
Thirteen of the 34 children who were saved from the inferno were transferred to the JNCH, and others are residing at the Maxfield Children’s Home and City of Refuge. 
“The trauma doesn’t leave them overnight. There are children who, if they hear an alarm or a siren now, they….” he tried to explain, with sympathy in his voice, but was unable to complete the sentence.
He tried to explain, again: “Some go into reflection and they have flashbacks. However, they are learning to cope,” he concludes.
It was with similar compassion that The Jamaica National Group, through its JN Foundation, responded to the urgent needs of the wards of the Walker’s Place of Safety, going immediately to social media to raise funds to replace the furniture and equipment which were destroyed by the fire.
“In February, after taking stock of the ongoing needs, we created a public appeal via JN Foundation’s social media platforms and several persons, many of them employees, responded,” explained Zola Hinds, JN Foundation project officer, who coordinated the relief efforts. 
Through the JN Group Human Resources and Development department, a list of needed items was created, and the funds raised via social media from the public and employees, were used to purchase those items, including: a four-burner gas stove, refrigerator, pots, three double beds and sheets.  
“It’s a big relief!” a pleased Mr Anderson exclaimed. “The children, and the home in particular, will use these donations as best as we can,” he said, noting that the home was in need of additional items to make living more comfortable for the 00 number of children they are now nurturing.
“On behalf of the JN Group’s staff and members, we were happy that we could assist,” said Onyka Barrett, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, as she, along with several JN Group employees, presented the items to the home, recently.
“It is a tragedy when children lose their home in that way, therefore, we are happy that JN members, employees and others have responded so generously to that call,” Miss Barrett stated.

Gareth Manning | JN Bank | Corporate Communications