Seaforth in St Thomas recently became a proud beneficiary of theFood For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica50 Programme, which seeks tobuild and or upgrade 50 basic schools islandwide, in commemoration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence.

Food For The Poor officially opened thenew Agape Basic School in the community, which is the first early-childhood school in St Thomas and the twelfth institution erected during the project's 12-month existence.

Seaforth had a dire need for this basic school, which had its wooden structure razed by fire just over a year ago. Since then, the teachers and students have been sharing facilities with the Seaforth Seventh-day Church of God.With the opening of the new school, the more than 60 students and teachers now have three comfortable classrooms,kitchen, bathroom facilities, office, sickbay and veranda. The school will serve not only Seaforth, but also the neighbouring communities of Trinity Ville, White Hall and Danvers' Pen.

major donation

Addressing participants at the official opening, Jean Lowrie-Chin, FFP board director, announced that the school would benefit from another major donation: "We at Food For The Poor are helping to ensure that the children are engaged at an early age, in the use of technology as a learning aid. To this end, we will be donatingN-Computer Kitsto the Agape Basic School. The kits comprise six computer monitors and a central processing unit."

Lowrie-Chin explained that the FFP Jamaica50 Programme has so far been "an exciting and rewarding journey" for the charity. She declared that the FFP team has been heartened by the positive difference, which the schools have been making islandwide. Lowrie-Chin noted, "Now, a year later on this journey, Food For The Poor has built 12 early-childhood institutions in 12 months with this Agape Basic School being the twelfth- a flying start to the Jamaica 50 Project!"

She expressed appreciation to the Early Childhood Commission, as well as the donors who have partnered with FFP since the project began a year ago. The US-based Eileen Christian, her family and friends, who financed the construction of Agape Basic School, also came in for special mention and commendation from Lowrie-Chin. She also thanked the Seventh-day Church of God for its generosity in providing temporary accommodation for the school for over 12 months.

Eileen Christian, donor representative and attorney-at-law who delivered the keynote address, said that the'Agape Friends Initiative'was started by her colleagues, Mike and Tracey Moyer. She expressed pleasure that her family and friends had the opportunity to share their resources with Jamaicans who are in need of assistance.

Mitzie Dennis, principal, Agape Basic School, said she is overjoyed and appreciative of the new facilities. "The new school is much more comfortable and conducive to learning than our situation at the church, and even better than the old school that existed before we were accommodated by church," said Dennis who has been a member of the teaching staff for the last eight years."We want to say a very big thank you to Food for the Poor and the family of Eileen Christian for making our dreams come true."