THE six-year vision of Pencils 4 Kids founder Randy Griffiths to see the students of Quick Step Basic School in St Elizabeth receive early childhood education in humane conditions is now a reality following the completion of the over $7-million facility.

Griffiths, a native of the Quick Step community which is located close to the border of St Elizabeth and Trelawny, was motivated to start a campaign for funding to build a new school since the structure that existed before was small and dilapidated, having not had any infrastructural improvements in almost six decades.

Being a past student of the school, Griffiths, through his New York-based charity organisation Pencils 4 Kids, turned ideas into action. After building a library for the children Griffiths staged numerous fund-raising initiatives to rebuild the school, from a measurement of 30×20 feet to 55×37 feet. The new building has been fitted with male and female bathrooms, a sick bay and a kitchen, which never existed prior.

During the recent official opening of the new school, which will double as a community centre, Griffiths said that his goal was to continue to build Quick Step. He encouraged the residents to act on their ideas and not sit and wait for handouts or endorsement from others, especially politicians.

“This stage of our work is done. We now have a library and a basic school; the next step is a sporting complex. If we keep waiting on Government and other people, that will not happen. We have to do it ourselves. It starts within one individual. Don’t think that you can’t do something. Start something and someone will come on board. It is all about progress. It is not about me and it is not about you — it is about the kids.

“We have already lived our lives so let us provide for the younger generation. Let us get together and put this thing to work. Don’t wait on MP, PNP or JLP; a community mi seh, so anybody weh seh community, they and I can work together. I want to thank each and everyone and all the volunteers who made this happen. I thank all the donors because without the donors, we couldn’t buy material,” Griffiths admitted.

Chairman of the school, Carol Lynch expressed gratitude to Griffiths and his team for making such a bold move.

“Our original basic school building was in need of a facelift. Sir Randy took it upon himself to fix the problem but, on further inspection, he found out that we needed more than just a facelift. We needed a new building. He and his team took on the task and they stood the test and today, we are beaming with delight because we have a magnificent building that we call the Pencils 4 Kids Quick Step Basic School and Community Centre,” she said.

Early Childhood Commission (ECC) inspector for region five, Faithlyn McKulsky was pleased that the basic school children will have their own safe space from which they will learn, and will no longer need to depend on the Quick Step Primary School for accommodation.

“I was overjoyed to see the building; I came here some time ago and it was nothing like this. Coming to see this structure here gave me a joyful feeling to see that the children will be in a safe space and that they will be in an area that is conducive to learning. Based on the structure of the building, we don’t have to worry because it is well built. I would also like to add that I see where this will help to give the children a sense of independence now that they are in their own space and are no longer in an area of the primary school.

“The environment is more conducive to learning. I see where this can promote learning for the children and we are expecting that it will do that with the guidance of the education officer and developmental programmes. I see where this can be beneficial to the further development and education of the children.”

Development officer at ECC, Keisha Lawson highlighted that the boost received from Pencils 4 Kids was very important, especially due to the fact that some basic schools lack proper infrastructure.

“We know the struggles that basic schools face like the lack of infrastructure, not having the required furniture, and space that they need. This building gives me a great feeling because I know that once the students are comfortable physically, their learning will be advanced. It is good to see the good things that Jamaicans who leave the country can do. Each Jamaican should consider doing something for a basic school in their area.”