Christiana Leased Primary and Infant School in north-east Manchester is in dire need of a new roof.

This, as the school’s oldest building, a 57-year-old block which houses the infant department as well as grades one and two, is leaking in several areas.

“Our most pressing need at this time is that the roof has major leaks. The roof covers the area of the building which houses a section of the Infant Department and the grade one and two classes. As a result, after rain falls at night we need to do major clean-ups in the mornings,” said principal Christopher Tyme, pointing out that the ongoing experience is frustrating.

Tyme — whose appeal for assistance is being met with response from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s Pledge2 Build Initiative in partnership with The Jamaica National Group via its ISupportJamaica.com platform — said the infant department is also in need of a fence and upgrades to sanitary conveniences.

“We have a new block which needs proper fencing to ensure the safety of our children; and the bathrooms at the infant school need to be upgraded,” he detailed.

Tyme stated that once these areas are addressed, the students will have a more suitable environment to enhance learning and greatly improve academic performance.

The partners are seeking to raise US$50,000 to address the Manchester school’s issues. As of Friday last, a total of US$283 was pledged on ISupportJamaica.com, with 60 days remaining.

Phillip Lindsay, operations officer of ISupportJamaica said that crowdfunding is a good way to raise funds for needs like those of Christiana (Leased), and explained that donations can be made by other methods — via JN Live e-banking, at the branch of any JN Bank or MoneyShop, and through interbank transfers.

Christiana (Leased) Primary and Infant School was established by the Anglican Church in 1889 under the leadership of the Rev John Cass. Its physical facilities consist of three major buildings housing 21 classrooms, four administrative offices, staff room, bathrooms, a sick-bay, a resource room/library, and a canteen/kitchen. A ramp is available for students who are physically challenged.

The school assists needy students through a welfare plan funded by the parent teachers’ association. Breakfast is also provided for some 223 students who are on the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education.