I adopted Norwich Primary School in Portland during the summer holidays this year. As a freelance photo-journalist with the Jamaica Observer, and because of the other work I do, getting donations to give the school a facelift was not difficult.

I must make special mention of Builders Depot, Port Antonio, which facilitated me with materials to start the school project and which, because of bureaucracy, waited patiently for their money. Without their help, the summer would have passed without the work being done.

I approached the National Solid Waste Management Agency (NSWMA) and they were very helpful. I was able to get over 60 bags to start cleaning up garbage at the school. The NSWMA provided a skip for the school, and for this I am most thankful to Ms Opal Davis of NSWMA Kingston who liaised with the Port Antonio division of NSWMA.

In Port Antonio, without hesitation, Coronation Bakery, Builders Depot, RBTT Port Antonio, R&H Hardware, Yvonne Blakey, Pat Chin, Warren Williams, and Dr Ken Williams, senior surgeon at the Port Antonio Hospital, came to my aid.

In Kingston, "friends of Port Antonio" rallied to my request. They are Super Value, Liguanea Drug & Garden Centre, Paul Chen Young & Co, Berger Paints, Minott Equipment & Chemicals, Appliance Traders, NCB, and the Port Authority of Jamaica.

Mr Errol Ennis, MP for West Portland, and Dr Donald Rhodd, MP for East Portland, both contributed.

Because of the assistance of these people and companies, the vendor stalls outside the school have been revamped and painted. Ninety per cent of the school has been painted by one gentleman, Mr Charlie Palmer, without whom it would not have been possible. He gave his time most generously, and I thank him ever so much.

The roof of the library is now in place and the grounds have been cleared.

The paving of the school grounds was not possible as this is a Ministry of Education decision. Norwich Primary still has a far way to go. The school still has pit toilets and although the toilet covers have been replaced and Minott Chemicals have provided material to stem the smell, the facility needs upgrading. Please remember, this is 2005. There are 500 children attending this school, so flush toilets are needed.

For everybody who donated and worked with this project, the Summer Adoption has become a reality.

I thank you all on behalf of Ms Claudia McLean, principal. The adoption of the school and its environs will continue.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World