Project Report
| Feb 17, 2022
Planting plan offers green space for Jamaica kids
By Paul Montgomery | Director of Marketing
![Students will be seeing green fields in Jamaica.]()
Students will be seeing green fields in Jamaica.
Students at the newest Christel House will be seeing green as part of the Jamaican Government’s initiative to save the environment. During a site assessment, Jamaica’s Forestry Department outlined a plan to add grass and trees around the new school. Hon. Sally Porteous, CEO, is pleased. “Christel House Jamaica is thrilled to be a part of this important exercise.” The trees and greenery are part of a Jamaica National Tree Planting Initiative to plant 3 million trees in three years. A local agricultural store, HiPro, is donating the seeds to add grass to bare areas following the construction of the school. While the school is getting upgrades, the Kindergarten to Grade 3 students continue with their classes. Porteous is proud of the students and says the children are very happy and comfortable in their new school. “By and large, they are doing really well.”
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Oct 21, 2021
School working to provide work program for parents
By Paul Montgomery | Director of Marketing
![Students arrive at Christel House Jamaica.]()
Students arrive at Christel House Jamaica.
As students return to Christel House Jamaica (CHJ) for in-person classes, plans are underway to offer skills training opportunities for their parents. And parents are excited about the possibilities.
“The program is part of a collaborative initiative with the Jamaica Human Employment and Resource Training Trust/National Training Agency,” according to Tracey Ann Anderson, CHJ Principal. “This will provide sustainable outcomes for the community and the country in general.” Parents are enthusiastically signing up for the skills training program. The agency will perform an applicant assessment to determine qualifications for plumbing, construction, and other jobs. “Since some parents cannot read, they’ll have the opportunity to enter a high school equivalent program,” says Anderson. “They will be able to take classes for basic reading and writing before they matriculate into the skills training area of the program.” After only one year, Anderson can see the tremendous impact Christel House is having in Jamaica. Students are learning and parents are engaging with the school. “We provide a safe and caring environment where the children can be afforded a quality education and other social and emotional support that will help break the cycle of poverty.”
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Jun 30, 2021
A start for Christel House's newest students
By Paul Montgomery | Director of Marketing
![Kids arrive at school.]()
Kids arrive at school.
For the newest Christel House students in Jamaica, getting to and from school every day is an exciting part of their new routine. It takes nine buses, over nine routes, traveling through 27 communities to get 180 kids to school.
Children are picked up at central points throughout communities near the school. On average, it takes between 15 to 45 minutes for students to travel to Christel House. “Our school is located in St. Catherine, one of the fastest growing parishes, therefore traffic builds up quickly,” says Kerry Ann Thompson, Social Worker Lead. “No children live within walking distance of the school.” Once the children arrive at school, they wash their hands to promote sanitation and cleanliness, then enjoy breakfast before classes. Thompson says the daily riding of the bus and the protocols once they arrive at school have become a welcome routine for the children. She notes the kids are doing well in their first year at Christel House. Thompson says it warms her heart when she hears from parents. One mother offered her gratitude. “Thank you very much Christel House Jamaica for showing us there is someone who still cares for the less fortunate. My child is learning.”
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