THE stage was set last Thursday, November 1 at the Ewarton Primary School in St Catherine for a welcome party in honour of one of its own.

The full complement of students, parents, teachers and administrative staff assembled in the mid-afternoon sun for a brief ceremony to laud the achievements of past student, former world 100-metre record holder and LIME ambassador, Asafa Powell.

The occasion was also one for Powell to give back to his old school; a gesture which principal Malgalyn Clunis bemoans is seldom; as quite often past students usually opt to give back to their former high schools.

Before receiving Asafa's $150,000 donation and LIME Foundation's gift of a Lenovo desktop computer, Principal Clunis spoke of the former sprint champion; "This is the story of a son who has done extremely well and has returned home to share his blessings with his roots."

Most of the funds are to go to towards retrofitting the school's physical education department. The LIME Foundation's computer donation will help boost the availability of stations in the school's computer lab.

Chairman of the LIME Foundation, Errol Miller, said the donation forms part of the foundation's commitment towards securing the best education experience for Jamaica's children, especially those in rural areas. He lauded the students for their discipline and good manners throughout the ceremony and congratulated the school's staff for their guidance in that regard.

Following a brief tribute to Powell in poetry and song, principal Clunis implored students to follow the former 100-metre champion's footsteps. Reflecting on young Asafa's clean disciplinary record at Ewarton Primary, she recalled that he was never put on detention or suspension.

The Ewarton Primary principal labeled the occasion a "teaching moment" for students on what talent, determination and hard work can do, and for parents on the pride that follows a commitment to loving their children unconditionally.

The LIME Jamaica Foundation, established in 2003, has Education as its primary focus with a strong emphasis on the proliferation of free Internet in Primary Schools and to community groupings.

The foundation also supports sporting and other activities for school-age youngsters and champions giving back to the community in conjunction with the LIME Employee Volunteer body.