GRANVILLE, Trelawny — Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny on Monday officially opened its Therapeutic Play Room, becoming the third institution to benefit from an $8-million initiative spearheaded by the Sandals Foundation in partnership with Food For the Poor Jamaica and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

The initiative, which has already established similar facilities at Port Maria Primary and Infant School in St Mary, as well as Irwin Primary School in St James, is aimed at supporting the emotional and psychosocial development of students through therapeutic play.

Public relations manager at Sandals Foundation, Patrice Gilpin said the investment reflects the organisation’s commitment to creating safe and supportive spaces for children. She said the funding covered not only the construction and outfitting of the three playrooms but also the training of 40 guidance counsellors to ensure the initiative’s sustainability.

“We are honoured to be partners in the development of the whole child because we fundamentally believe that when children are given the support they need to process experiences, build resilience, and develop confidence, they are better equipped to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Gilpin.

Executive director of Food For the Poor Jamaica, Denise Jefferson delivering the keynote address, Monday, during the official opening of a Therapeutic Play Room at Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Executive director of Food For the Poor Jamaica, Denise Jefferson underscored the wider significance of the project, describing it as “an investment in the emotional well-being, healing, and future of Jamaica’s children”.

“These spaces are not simply renovated rooms. They are safe spaces where children experiencing trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioural challenges, or difficult life circumstances can begin to process emotions in healthy ways,” she said.

Jefferson stressed that children often communicate through play before using words, making the initiative a critical intervention for those grappling with violence, instability, loss, and other emotional hardships. She also pointed to early success stories from Irwin and Granville primary schools, where counsellors have reported children becoming more relaxed and willing to open up.

Public relations manager at the Sandals Foundation, Patrice Gilpin speaking, Monday, during the official opening of a Therapeutic Play Room at Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr Kasan Troupe, in remarks delivered by Senior Education Officer Dr Fabian Wainwright, hailed the therapeutic playroom as a vital investment in children’s overall development, and appealed for more schools across Jamaica to benefit from the initiative.

Wainwright said the ministry remains committed to holistic education, noting that children’s ability to succeed academically is closely linked to their mental, emotional, and social well-being.

“Today we celebrate more than the opening of a room. We celebrate an investment in our children and our commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive,” the message from Troupe read.

Clinical social worker and child welfare consultant, Dr Claudette Crawford-Brown, described the playroom programme as “revolutionary”.

Senior Education Officer Dr Fabian Wainwright delivering the remarks of permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr Kasan Troupe, during Monday’s official opening of a Therapeutic Play Room at Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Meanwhile, Principal of Granville Primary and Infant School, Avis Williams, welcomed the facility as a major step forward in strengthening student support services.

“At our school, we recognise that education goes beyond academics. The emotional well-being of our children is equally important, and this facility stands as a testament to that belief,” she said.

Williams praised the Sandals Foundation, Food For the Poor Jamaica and the Ministry of Education, along with other stakeholders, for what she described as a meaningful investment in the mental and emotional health of students.