A stable, safe, learning environment in Jamaica, made possible by someone who cared in South Jersey.
The Early Childhood Development Centre in an extremely poor community east of Ocho Rios started in 1998 with 13 students. For years, the school bounced around from location to location, occupying decaying, yet expensive, rental spaces.
Through the caring generosity of one Community Foundation of South Jersey charitable fundholder, these children have a new building that provides stability and safety, and the school has the capacity to serve more students.
This donation to the nonprofit Food For the Poor covered the majority of the cost for the new building — which houses 5 classrooms, an office and staff room, a canteen equipped with a refrigerator and stove, a sick bay, eating area and sanitation facility. The kids also have a fenced in playground and age-appropriate desks and chairs. The centre now serves 91 children from 2 to 6 years old and can enroll up to 120.