St Elizabeth schools get relief supplies

Black River and Brampton Primary and Infant schools in St Elizabeth have received donations of hurricane relief supplies valued at more than $500,000 from the Friends of Region 6.

The items, which were recently handed over to the institutions, included care packages containing food, shoes, clothing, and water. The organisation also assisted with ongoing clean-up at the schools and offered counselling to students, teachers and community persons.

Principal of Brampton Primary School, Janice McKenzie, said that the gifts "symbolise something greater than gifts after a disaster; they symbolise love, care, and partnership".

We extend thanks to Friends of Region 6, as the gifts received have significantly benefited staff and community," she stated. Chairman of the St Catherine-based organisation, Anne Geddes-Spence, said that the group was moved to assist the institutions, which are outside of its service region, after seeing the devastation caused by the hurricane.

"It is about our call to serve and service we will continue to give to this nation," she told JIS News.

Friends of Region 6 was established to support educational institutions in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information's Region 6, which includes St Catherine and sections of Clarendon. The organisation hosts annual awards ceremonies to celebrate and recognise the achievements of students, teachers and other personnel at educational institutions.