FERRIS, Westmoreland — In keeping with its promise to foster positive change in Savanna-la-Mar and surrounding communities, Kevin Downswell Ministries has teamed up with Restaurants of Jamaica through its KFC brand to construct a new reading room and homework centre for the students of Downswell’s alma mater, Ferris Primary School in Ferris, Westmoreland.

The grand opening of the facility, took place last Thursday.

The project forms a key part of KFC’s Add Hope Programme, which seeks to positively impact the lives of children through education, nutrition and development, and Downswell’s Realignment Concert and Community Outreach Tour’s mission to each year raise funds to benefit specific charities or groups in need.

To date, KFC has built 14 reading rooms and homework centres at parish libraries across the island, and the opening of this latest centre is a continuation of efforts to positively impact Jamaica’s youngsters through investment in education.

“For this mission, I’m happy to have our partner KFC standing with us. I’m proud to say that we’ve accomplished much and will, therefore, change the lives of many. The construction of this reading room and homework centre will give the students of Ferris Primary School opportunities and facilities that I didn’t have when I formerly attended here,” Downswell shared at the opening ceremony.

The room boasts rows of shelves with bright, colourful books; a computer to facilitate homework, assignments and research; and brand new desks and chairs.

“I can relate and share similar sentiments with Kevin that being able to give back to the institutions that helped shape us into the individuals we are today is a tremendous feeling,” said Restaurants of Jamaica Brand Manager Andrei Roper.

“KFC will always be an advocate for enhanced learning and youth development. Education is important and our children are indeed our future; they deserve every opportunity to be great, do great things and in turn impact lives,” he said.

Ferris Primary has a student capacity of 190.