ALMOST seven months after Hurricane Melissa carved a destructive path through western Jamaica, life is gradually returning to normal at Lethe Primary and Infant School where recovery efforts continue following widespread flood damage that forced the temporary abandonment of part of the institution.

The school, which serves a population of 135 students, sits on the border of St James and Hanover. It was among several facilities severely affected when the nearby Great River overflowed its banks during the October 28 hurricane.

The flood waters inundated the building housing the infant department, leaving behind a deluge of mud, debris, and damaged infrastructure that rendered the space unusable.

As a result, administrators were forced to relocate infant-level students to the main section of the school, significantly altering daily operations.

“The situation was disastrous,” said Principal Allison McGhie.

“We had to move the babies over to the main section because some of the chairs, desks, doors, and even the bathrooms were damaged by the flood waters — which also left mud and other debris behind.

“We had to do a lot of restructuring to accommodate everyone in this small, confined space,” added McGhie.

She pointed out that in addition to the physical damage to the plant the Category 5 storm had a profound social and emotional impact on students and their families.

“When we went looking for students after the hurricane it was clear that the devastation went beyond the school,” she said. “Many of the children lost their homes. Some are still staying with relatives — and that has been very challenging for them.”

According to McGhie, despite these setbacks the school community has remained committed to ensuring students remain engaged in learning as recovery efforts continue.

“The staff, residents, and various stakeholders both locally and overseas have all come together to assist with the clean-up,” McGhie said.

“It has been a very long process. We are not even halfway through the recovery but we continue because we know it is better for the children to be here at school than at home and not learning,” the principal added.

She expressed gratitude for the assistance received, highlighting the role of the Kiwanis Club of Barbican whose members were on site cleaning the abandoned infant department.

“I am truly grateful for all the help we have received,” she said. “I know the students from the infant department will really appreciate it. They are anxious to return to their own space.”

The Kiwanis Club of Barbican, a St Andrew-based service organisation, said its involvement at Lethe Primary and Infant School forms part of a broader hurricane relief initiative launched in response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Club President Jovana Bailey said the group shifted its annual programme to focus on disaster response after witnessing the extent of the devastation.

“This is actually the second staging of our hurricane relief project,” Bailey explained.

“The idea to assist Lethe Primary and Infant School came after our Distinguished Past President Dane McLean visited the area following Hurricane Melissa to do charity work. Based on what he saw on the ground, he recommended that we step in.

“When we saw the photos and heard about the situation, we realised we needed to assist the school in whatever way we could,” Bailey said.

On April 11 the Kiwanis Club of Barbican partnered with JN Foundation and St John Ambulance Jamaica to take a medical mission to the school, offering free health services to students, parents, and community members.

Doctors, nurses, and volunteers conducted medical consultations, health screenings, and distributed prescriptions, while clean-up of the infant department continued.

“Our Lieutenant Governor Michael Powell, who is head of security at the Jamaica National Group, informed us that the JN Foundation had a medical mission visiting communities in western Jamaica that were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“The idea was to partner with service clubs to reach these communities more effectively,” Bailey added.

She noted that the collaboration allowed the organisations to extend support beyond traditional relief items.

“We wanted to go beyond care packages. Access to medical checks and medication is a real need, especially for the elderly and children. This was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact,” said Bailey.

In the meantime the school’s principal lauded JN Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Barbican for their contribution to the school and the wider Lethe community.

“This medical mission is an excellent initiative,” she said. “Our community was severely affected by the hurricane, and many people do not have the financial means to travel to Montego Bay to see a doctor. Bringing the service here to Lethe made a significant difference,” said McGhie.

Among those who benefited was Lethe resident Asha Moodie who took her two youngest children to be evaluated.

“It was very good that the doctors came here today,” Moodie said.

“Many of us are unable to leave the community to get medical treatment. I brought my children because I haven’t been able to take them to the doctor since the hurricane, so this was helpful,” added Moodie.

Omar Wright, lead for environment and community development programmes at the JN Foundation, said the communities selected for intervention were chosen based on ongoing needs since the passage of the hurricane, including access to basic amenities and health care.

“A key part of the JN Foundation’s mission is to help Jamaicans rebound and emerge stronger after disasters,” Wright said.

He noted that with the assistance of St John Ambulance Jamaica, the foundation has treated more than 1,000 people across the country since November.

“During this mission alone we treated more than 100 residents, including children and the elderly,” Wright highlighted.

He also acknowledged the partnership of the Kingston-based Rotary of Club of Trafalgar New Heights, which donated several items to include non-perishable foods, cleaning and sanitary products, several of which were distributed to grateful residents of Lethe and residents of Santa Cruz and its environs in St Elizabeth.

In addition to medical services, volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Barbican conducted clean-up and minor repair work at the school. This included cleaning classrooms, repairing bathroom fixtures, replacing light bulbs, and restoring furniture damaged by flood waters.

Bailey said the physical improvements are intended to restore a sense of safety and normality for students and staff as recovery continues.

“Our hope is that these improvements will help create a more welcoming learning environment while the school works toward full recovery,” she said.