From recovery to renewal

The delivery and installation of modular classrooms at the Culloden Infant School in Whitehouse, Westmoreland marks a new phase in the restoration of hurricane-affected schools by the Sandals Foundation.

Students at Culloden Infant will start the new year in two new modular classrooms following the purchase of six pre-fabricated containers by the philanthropic organisation. The temporary spaces have to date helped to create a sense of normalcy for students and forms part of a holistic approach being taken at affected schools in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and St James.

“Restoring education is a very critical component of our Hurricane-recovery mission,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation. For the past few weeks, we have been able to mobilise a number of local and international partners to create safe temporary spaces for our young ones, all while we plan for the permanent rebuild.”

Efforts include the cleaning and salvaging of furniture and school supplies by Sandals Resorts team members, the engagement of United States – based humanitarian aid organisation, Team Rubicon to remove debris, install tarpaulin, repair roofs, and prepare school grounds for construction, preventative pest management treatment, the provision of daily meals by partners Mercy Chefs to students who returned to classes, the purchase of one-thousand-gallon water tanks to ensure the availability of the precious resource, and facilitating psychosocial support to help children and their families process the emotional effects of the storm.

SAFE SPACE

“It was very important to us, that students were provided with safe temporary spaces to connect with their teachers, play with their friends, and be equipped with strategic tools to help in their psychological stability,” said Clarke. “Through the supply of books and key resources from our partners, Sesame Workshop, we were able to provide families with key skills that can be employed as they navigate these times.”

For principal at Culloden Infant, Michelle Whittingham, the psychosocial support was critical.

“These children experienced uncertainty, and disruption at a very tender age. Psychosocial support at the early childhood level is not optional;it is essential. It helps children feel safe again, restores routine, and builds emotional resilience at a stage when their sense of security is still forming. The intervention speaks directly to the hearts and wellbeing of our students.”

To date, supported schools include Holland Primary and Leads Primary and Infant in St Elizabeth; Salem Primary, Leonara Morris Basic School, and Ferris Primary in St James. And in Westmoreland – Galloway Early Childhood Institution, Beeston Spring Early Childhood Institute, New Hope Primary, Mearnsville Primary and Infant School, Petersville Primary, and Kings Primary and Infant School.

For Kings Primary, temporary roofing, preventative pest management treatment, and clean-up efforts enabled the resumption of classes for grades 4–6 earlier this month, putting Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students on track at a critical point in their academic journey.

“We are extremely grateful to all our partners, including local organisations such as Rhino Jamaica, Ex-o-Pest, and hardware stores that responded with urgency, providing invaluable expertise, and bringing hope to our children,” said Clarke.

“In the coming weeks,” Clarke continued, “our partners, Team Rubicon, will provide infrastructure support to schools in St James and we will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and the National Education Trust to see to the long-term rebuild and restoration of our learning spaces.”