THE Jamaica Basic School Foundation (JBSF) has raised more than $15 million to support early childhood education over the last 10 years, according to president and founder of the organisation, Josephine Williams.

She was speaking at the foundation’s 10th anniversary fund-raising ball at the Hilton Hotel in London recently.

Williams told the gathering that the JBSF had continued to receive wide support for its work.

“I am glad that we continue to get the support over the years from the community and other well-wishers. I am also thankful that we continue to be supported by agencies like the (Jamaican) High Commission and the Jamaica Information Service (JIS),” she stated.

Some 600 people attended the ball, which was the second of the foundation’s two major events that are held annually.

One of the highlights of the event was the screening of a short film that highlighted the foundation’s work and the schools that have benefited from assistance. The film also featured tributes from Prime Minister P J Patterson and one of the foundation’s patrons, Ambassador Courtney Walsh.

Prime Minister Patterson, in his message, spoke of the importance of partnerships between public and private sector companies in education, and commended the Jamaica Basic School Foundation for its vision and dedication to early childhood education in Jamaica.

Similar sentiment was echoed by Information Minister Burchell Whiteman, who brought greetings, and offered words of appreciation to the foundation on behalf of the government and people of Jamaica.

Williams said she was particularly pleased about the film, which was produced by JIS. “It (the film) was brilliant. Everyone was pleased and it gave a positive idea of how we have spent the funds we have raised. I was really pleased,” she told JIS News.

She added that the JBSF was proud of its accomplishments over the years. “When I think where we are coming from, we are very proud, and we want our supporters to be proud of us too. The ball is about raising funds but also ensuring that people have a good time as this will allow us to raise even more funds,” she noted.

The corporate sponsors for the ball were the Jamaica National Building Society and GraceKennedy and Company Limited.