KINGSTON, Jamaica — As part of the celebration of Latin Heritage from September 15 to October 15, the Carmen Lois Stewart (CLS) Foundation made a significant contribution on Wednesday by donating 230 Latin books to the Wilbert Stewart Basic School (WSBS).

Chairman of the Foundation, Stephen Stewart, said the  initiative aims to foster an interest and appreciation of the Latin culture and language among children from an early age.

The donation was presented during a handing-over ceremony presided over by Stewart and was by distinguished guests, including Her Excellency Emiliana Bernard-Stephenson, the Columbian Ambassador to Jamaica, representatives from the Brazilian Embassy in Jamaica Mrs Creuza Alves de Lima Silva and Mrs Fiorella Stewart and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s JTA Early Childhood Chair, Mrs Dionne Bailey.

Reading for the students are from L-R: Her Excellency Emiliana Bernard-Stephenson, Ambassador of Colombia in Jamaica, Mrs Creuza Alves de Lima Silva and Mrs Fiorella Stewart, representing the Embassy of Brazil.

Ambassador Bernard-Stephenson praised the effort to introduce Spanish to the students at the basic school level. She shared with the students, telling them about Colombia and said she will continue to take part in similar activities at the school.

Both de Lima Silva and Stewart conveyed greetings to teachers and students on the behalf of the Ambassador of Brazil to Jamaica, Her Excellency Elza Moreira Marcelino de Castro and expressed how pleased they were to participate in the Latin heritage activity at the school.

Greetings and congratulations were conveyed by the JTA’s Bailey, in a show of support for the event.

To the delight of the students, the books were read in Spanish by the Colombian and Brazillian representatives.

Students got to take home their books after answering questions correctly. L-R: John-Mark Brakenbridge and Mahalia Young.

The CLS Foundation has been actively involved in various initiatives in Eastern Kingston. This latest book donation is part of a broader effort by the Foundation to promote a good learning experience starting at an early age for students.

“The Wilbert Stewart Basic School is excited to incorporate these new books into the school’s curriculum,” said school principal, Halima Jackson-Wilkins as she expressed appreciation for the donation.