JHTA Ochi donates to 3 needy organisations
OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Since last July sections of St Christopher’s School for the Deaf in Brown’s Town, St Ann, have been without a reliable source of electricity, and it has been particularly difficult for its younger students to cope. Therefore, Tuesday’s donation of $100,000 from the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios Runaway Bay Chapter will help.
“We are the only primary school that has a dorm for our students and so we want to keep the young ones comfortable at all times, because we consider our school their safe zone,” said Provisional Principal Lavern Stewart Barnett.
“We are grateful, and it will definitely be of much help to work on our lighting at school,” she said, noting that the peoperty lost electricity after Hurricane Beryl hit sections of the island in July.
“The children don’t like the dark, and we want to ensure that the place is well-lit for them,” she added.
The plan moving forward, the school administrator said, is to invest in solar electricity — and the institution is now a step closer to achieving that goal. It was one of the institutions that received cheques from JHTA Ocho Rios during a meeting held at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. The others were Mustard Seed Communities, and Adult and Teen Challenge Jamaica. They all received the same amount of funding.
JHTA Ocho Rios has long supported these organisations.
“This money helps us a lot over the year because we don’t get a huge budget from the Government,” Stewart Barnett explained.
Director of Adult and Teen Challenge Jamaica Barbara Richards was equally grateful.
“We want to thank JHTA for always having us in mind and hearts. We appreciate it so much,” she said.
According to JHTA vice-president and chair of the Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter Vana Taylor, the next charity event will be a treat in December when individuals from beneficiary institutions will be able to enjoy a day of cheer and laughter.
She explained that part of JHTA’s mandate is to celebrate those who have dedicated themselves to Jamaica.
“We know the tremendous work you do at your particular institutions for all citizens of our country and we couldn’t have donated to better charities,” she said.
