GOODWILL, St James — The Goodwill All Age School in Eastern St James was recently refurbished, at a cost of approximately $100,000, by an American-based Jamaican group known as the Community for the Economic Redevelopment of Jamaica.

The school was given a complete face-lift, with all the buildings and classrooms re-painted, and some 100 chairs repaired for the new school term that begins in September. Other refurbishing work included general repairs to doors, tables and the roof. Sections of the road and school yard were also repaired.

In a recent interview, project co-ordinator, Professor Hugh Dawes, told JIS News that he was pleased that over 90 per cent of the work had been completed.

“By and large, our goals have been accomplished, as we had set out to effect positive changes and tangible development in this community,” he said. “At the end, we have seen this unfolding and I am feeling pleased that we were able to assemble a team and come to forge this partnership with the people here.”

He noted that another important aspect of the project was the presentation of a scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year over a five-year period, to a needy student of the community.

“The whole idea of the scholarship is to actually intercept a student, boy or girl, who would, without help, go down the drain,” professor Dawes explained. “We would hence put such a student back in the income stream so that he or she would become a productive Jamaican in the future.”

School principal, Charles Stewart, said he was pleased at the work done by group members.

“Come the first of September, the teachers, children and even the parents will be happy to find themselves in a new environment,” he said. “I think the team has done exceptionally well and the entire school community is very appreciative of the work.