A dream by Genesis Academy’s co-founder and Director Donna Lowe to refurbish a playing field for students with physical disabilities has moved a step closer to becoming reality thanks to a cash grant from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).

Genesis Academy, one of the premier special education institutions in Jamaica, was included in 65 entities which received grants totalling US$1.3 million from AFJ on Tuesday during a ceremony at the United States Embassy in St Andrew.

Following the ceremony Lowe told the Jamaica Observer that the playground, which was initially gifted to the school by an organisation, has deteriorated significantly after 14 years.

“The location that we are at now, we have been there from 2009, and in 2012 another organisation gifted us with a playground with specialised equipments. And it was really an amazing experience for the children, especially the physically challenged because they have never been in a swing before and now the wheelchair could go in the swing, and a lot of other equipment,” said Lowe.

She pointed out that with the playing field being partially out of use, it has been difficult for students and teachers as any activity in the area has to be done under keen supervision.

“This grant is going to help us to resurface the entire area. The condition it is in now is actually a safety hazard so we have had to minimise use of the surface. So, the timing is also very good because by the time we order tiles we would be able to redo the surface during the summer when the kids are on break,” added Lowe.

Highlighting that the initiative will be expensive to undertake, Lowe said the grant from AFJ represents a fair portion of what is needed to complete the work but that the school will have to engage in other fund-raisers.

“It’s quite expensive. We are going to start the reconstruction now, so we will start with the ordering of the tiles. We will reach out to other partners who have been very generous to us as well. We will finish it,” said Lowe.

She noted that although the institution has received AFJ grants for the past three years, this year’s application was submitted with a measure of uncertainty.

“I am actually very elated, and I sent in the proposal kind of not expecting to get anything because I figure because of Hurricane Melissa there would be so many other persons who are in greater need, so we are very grateful.

“Play is very important for our children. It is an opportunity for them to socialise and also express themselves outside of the classroom, so we have to give them that space to do that,” added Lowe.

In the meantime, executive director of AFJ Caron Chung underscored that the organisations selected for grants this year play a vital role in improving lives and expanding opportunities across the island.

“The grant cycle is announced in November every year in Jamaica [and] potential grantees send in their applications between November and February each year. Our grants committee then evaluates the applications to ensure that they align with our criteria, and from the applications received we determine which applicants will be provided with grants. This year we received 88 applications [for] grants,” Chung told the Observer following the award ceremony.

A non-profit organisation founded in 1982, AFJ seeks to improve the lives of Jamaicans by supporting initiatives that advance self-sufficiency, promote healthy communities, and strengthen the nation.

Genesis Academy’s co-founder and Director Donna Lowe speaking with the Jamaica Observer after collecting a grant from the American Friends of Jamaica last Tuesday at the US Embassy in St Andrew. Naphtali Junior