KINGSTON, Jamaica — Belmont Academy in Bluefields, Westmoreland continues to rebuild months after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to the school and surrounding community, with corporate partners helping to sustain teaching and learning.

In a release on Tuesday, JN Money Services (JNMS) said it had partnered with the institution through the donation of emergency supplies, including care packages and a generator, provided during the Christmas holidays under its Holiday Hope initiative.

“While the Ministry of Education has committed to addressing aspects of the outer physical infrastructure, many critical internal and programmatic needs are being met through our own efforts and the goodwill of partners, particularly important given that our alumni association is understandably young, relative to the age of the school,” disclosed principal Rayon Simpson.

The school, which serves approximately 1,100 students, remains without electricity three months after the Category 5 hurricane struck western Jamaica. The storm damaged roofs, windows and doors in key areas, including all four science laboratories, the auditorium, tuck shop, stationery room and staff facilities.

Belmont Academy also lost about 50 computers, a server room, farm housing, water storage facilities, books and materials in the library and book room, and machinery in the mechanical engineering department.

“While progress has been made, approximately 35 per cent of windows and doors are still to be procured and installed,” Simpson said, noting that the school continues to function as a stabilising presence for the Bluefields community.

He described the generator donated by JN Money as “nothing short of a lifeline” for the institution, noting that without electricity, it is used to power administrative operations, support internet connectivity and enable teaching in specialised areas such as information technology and AutoCAD. The generator has also assisted restoration work on campus by powering workmen conducting repairs.

Simpson said the support allowed senior students to register for external examinations offered through the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), City and Guilds, and the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) during a critical academic period. “JN Money’s intervention allowed teaching and learning to continue when it otherwise would not have been possible,” he said.

He added: “The gratitude within the school community remains deep and genuine. Staff, students and parents continue to speak warmly of their kindness. JN Money’s support has left an indelible mark on our recovery journey, and its impact will be felt for years to come.”

Sanya Wallace, assistant general manager at JNMS, noted that the support was particularly meaningful as the school is a former winner of JN Money’s Back-to-School Jingle Competition. “We were happy to distribute meals at the school and provide the emergency supplies, which continue to make a meaningful impact months later,” she said.

“Our support is also part of JN’s broader effort to help restore hope, rebuild communities and help Jamaica build back better,” Wallace added.

The school and the wider Bluefields community have also benefited from targeted support by the JN Group and JN Foundation, which has included first aid medical care, counselling and the provision of emergency supplies.