A major transformation is under way at Hopewell Primary School in Watchwell, St Elizabeth, where a comprehensive, climate-resilient upgrade will strengthen the school’s role as both a centre for learning and a critical emergency shelter for surrounding communities.

The US$1.44-million project will modernise and reinforce the school to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and seismic events, creating a safer learning environment for students while providing residents with a secure refuge during natural disasters.

Once completed, the facility will serve as a model for resilient school infrastructure in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

The initiative comes as communities across St Elizabeth continue to recover from the impacts of hurricanes Beryl (2024) and Melissa (2025), which underscored the urgent need for stronger public infrastructure capable of supporting both everyday community needs and emergency response efforts.

Hopewell Primary currently serves approximately 100 students and is designated as a critical shelter for residents across the surrounding rural communities.

The upgrade will ensure the facility can continue supporting education during normal operations while providing essential services and protection during times of crisis.

Members of the project team look at areas to be improved at Hopewell Primary School in Watchwell, St Elizabeth, under a US$1.44-million project being led by the Clara Lionel Foundation. (Photo: Clara Lionel Foundation)

The project is being led by the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) through its Rebuild & Reimagine Fund and is being delivered in partnership with national and local stakeholders, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM); the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; the National Education Trust; the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation; Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green; and the leadership of Hopewell Primary School.

Additional support is being provided by the Breds Treasure Beach Foundation and regional partner Liberty Caribbean Foundation.

The comprehensive upgrade includes structural reinforcement of columns, beams, and foundations to withstand hurricane-force winds of up to 181.5 miles per hour (mph) and seismic activity; the replacement of the school’s roof, walls, windows, and doors; and the installation of solar energy systems with battery backup and a standby generator capable of providing up to 72 hours of emergency power.

It will also include the installation of a new water security infrastructure, including an atmospheric water generation system from Eco Sky Water that produces potable water from humidity, along with centralised storage to support emergency operations; hurricane shutters; upgraded plumbing and wash facilities; improved disability access; enhanced emergency evacuation infrastructure; and aesthetic improvements throughout the campus and the construction of a new playground for students

“The Hopewell Primary School is delighted for the great investment in the school’s physical environment; this investment will result in a sustainable, modern teaching-learning space. The upgrade will elevate our academic potential while providing a secure, climate-resilient sanctuary for the wider Jamaican community,” said the school’s Principal Marie Caroll Bromfield.

“Since inception, we have been kept in the loop and are constantly involved with each aspect of progress. The project has great workers and the best project manager and contractor who allow us to operate comfortably until completion. We thank all of the supporting agencies that allow the project to run smoothly. And a special heartfelt thank you to the Clara Lionel Foundation for investing in us,” added Bromfield.

It was noted that construction has been carefully planned to minimise disruption to students and staff. Temporary classrooms will be established on the school’s netball court, while major construction activities will be scheduled around weekends, after-school hours, and school holidays whenever possible.

“St Elizabeth is Jamaica’s breadbasket, and Hopewell Primary is a critical hurricane shelter for a wide rural area,” said Krystle Francis, director of programmes for the Caribbean at CLF.

“We have been conceptualising this project for the last two years and are thrilled to see it officially under way. Through the strength of our local and regional partnerships, we are building infrastructure that will become a cornerstone of the community and will thrive as both an educational institution as well as a critical emergency shelter,” added Francis.

The project builds on lessons learnt from climate resilience initiatives implemented across the Caribbean and reflects a growing regional focus on strengthening schools, health facilities, and community infrastructure against the impacts of increasingly severe weather events.

When completed in December 2026, Hopewell Primary School will stand as one of Jamaica’s most resilient educational facilities — serving students every day while providing critical protection and support for the wider community during emergencies.

Members of the work team at Hopewell Primary School where a comprehensive climate-resilient upgrade will strengthen the school’s role as a centre for learning and a critical emergency shelter. (Photo: Clara Lionel Foundation)