LIVING thousands of miles away, but never far from home, volunteers from the Jamaican Diaspora rolled up their sleeves to help restore the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, which is still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa last October.

Armed with paint brushes, gardening tools and a deep commitment to giving back, the Diaspora joined representatives of the JN Foundation and local volunteers for a Day of Service — transforming the school while sending a powerful message of solidarity to students, teachers and the wider community.

The initiative formed part of activities for the 11th Jamaica Diaspora Conference and was organised by the JN Foundation.

Among the volunteers was Jamaican-British businessman and celebrity chef Keith Valentine Graham, better known as Levi Roots, founder of the globally recognised Reggae Reggae Sauce brand in the United Kingdom.

Swapping his kitchen utensils for a paintbrush, Graham embraced the opportunity to contribute to the school’s restoration.

“I’m here today as a day of service because this is what service is about,” said Graham.

“It’s about what you can do for others so I’m here at the basic school helping out. I’ve swapped a spatula for a paintbrush. It’s just doing my service, doing my duty, helping out as much as I can,” added Graham.

The Clarendon native said the experience stirred up fond childhood memories.

“I think it’s fantastic to hear the voices of the children because it brings me back to when I was a kid in school making these same sounds. It’s just really beautiful to me. Doing something that is out of the ordinary for me feels really good in this environment,” Graham said.

The Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, bishop of Dover and the first black woman to become a bishop in the Church of England, described the experience as both emotional and inspiring.

Born and schooled in St James, she reflected on the significance of returning home to support the next generation.

“It is really a delight, and a joy, and a memorable moment to be here in the city of my birth, the place where I was educated, the place that nurtured me and made me who I am today,” the former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and the House of Commons — Britain’s Parliament — said.

Jamaican-British businessman and celebrity chef Keith Valentine Graham, better known as Levi Roots, founder of the globally recognised Reggae Reggae Sauce brand, refreshes a mural at the school.

She emphasised that every contribution, no matter how small, matters.

“Whether it’s one or two strokes of the brush, all of us have used the gifts we have. It’s wonderful seeing and hearing the children’s voices throughout the day,” added Hudson-Wilkin.

She said the presence of Diaspora volunteers conveys a message that the children are not forgotten.

That sentiment was echoed by Paulette Simpson, executive for corporate affairs and public policy for the Jamaica National Group in the United Kingdom.

Simpson commended the commitment and generosity of the volunteers who travelled from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other countries to support the initiative.

She said the response from members of the Jamaican Diaspora and international partners in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa had been overwhelming, with individuals and organisations contributing time, resources, and financial support to assist affected communities.

“In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and beyond responded with compassion and generosity. Their willingness to volunteer, donate and give back demonstrates the strength of our global community and the deep commitment many people have to helping vulnerable families recover and rebuild,” said Simpson.

Throughout the day volunteers painted classrooms, refreshed outdoor spaces, and engaged with students, helping to create a brighter and more welcoming environment for learning.

For Heather Wiggan Vassell, principal of the school, the Day of Service represented far more than a restoration project. It was a visible demonstration of community support at a time when the school needed it most.

Reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Vassell recalled the devastation left behind.

“When Hurricane Melissa came, it tore through our community. The DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School was left broken. Classrooms were damaged, learning was interrupted, and our children’s sense of safety was shaken,” she said.

DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, St James, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa last October.

The principal credited the JN Foundation’s intervention with helping the school begin the journey towards recovery.

“In that moment of loss the JN Foundation stepped in, not just with financial support but with hands, hearts and time on the ground,” Vassell outlined.

“Because of your physical presence our children saw that they were not forgotten. You did not just help us rebuild a building — you helped us rebuild hope. You gave our DRB Grant family a place to learn again and our students a place to dream again.”

She said the return of volunteers through the Diaspora Day of Service reinforced the message that the school continues to have a network of supporters committed to its future.

The Diaspora Day of Service, however, was only one chapter in a broader recovery effort said Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, as she emphasised that rebuilding the school will require sustained support from multiple partners.

“Today was just a small part of a very long journey that the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School has ahead of it,” said Allen.

“You have seen the facility, and you have seen the needs. There are urgent requirements for furniture, school supplies, playground equipment and other resources. The JN Foundation is committed to being part of that journey and ensuring that we leverage our resources to give the school what it needs,” Allen added.

She noted that the initiative brought together a diverse group of supporters including Diaspora Conference delegates, corporate partners, volunteers, educational institutions, and community stakeholders — all united by a common goal.

“What progress we made today will be multiplied through the partnerships that emerge from this visit. Through mural painting, landscaping, tree-planting and other improvements, volunteers have helped to create a more welcoming and inspiring environment for the children. But more importantly, they have demonstrated what can happen when people come together in service of a community,” Allen noted.

The JN Foundation general manager also highlighted the significance of the school’s namesake, early childhood education pioneer Dudley R Grant whose legacy continues to shape learning in Jamaica and beyond.

“Dudley Grant was a visionary whose ideas about early childhood education were far ahead of his time,” she said.

“More than 60 years later the principles he championed are still being practised here. We wanted today’s restoration effort to honour that legacy and help ensure that future generations of children have the nurturing environment they need to learn, grow and thrive,” said Allen.