By: Kryshanna Barrett; Jhoni-Lee Forsythe
The students and staff at the Windsor School of Special Education showed up on Monday, May 27, 2024, with renewed minds and spirits following beautification works at the institution on Labour Day.
The initiative was spearheaded by the NCU Media Group in collaboration with the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ Youth Ministries Department as part of the 9th staging of NCU FM’s Acts of Kindness School Tour.
This year’s National Labour Day theme was: “Ramp Up the Access…Show that you care,” which focused on making public spaces more accessible for the vulnerable and persons with disabilities.
“You know it’s so funny because we didn’t even know the theme for this year at the time when the school was chosen. It was a coincidence. It’s all a part of God’s plan,” said Miss Patricia Grant, Manager of Special Events and Projects at the NCU Media Group.
“This labour day project is a pilot project. The Windsor School wanted to be a part of our Acts of Kindness Tour, but based on what happens on the tour, many students would not be able to participate. We still wanted them to feel like a part of it, so we took the labour day project here.”
Several volunteers including teachers and students from the school painted the school’s general assembly point, renovated the bathrooms’ plumbing, updated signs and posters, and engaged in general clean-up activities including the installation of garbage drums around the property. The community was the beneficiary of a free mobile health clinic.
From a facelift of the school compound to free medical services, the recipients were grateful.
“We serve a special population. These are some students… what seems minor to you can throw them off so this is important that these students will see an environment immaculate [and] conducive to learning” said Kimela Jarrett-Johnstone, Principal of The Windsor School of Special Education.
Pastor Dane Fletcher, Youth Ministries Director of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists explained that the volunteers were eager to be part of the initiative. “Our young people are always excited to be involved and so it was an easy decision to be a part of this initiative considering that it’s a part of our strategic objectives to make a positive impact in the community.”
Meanwhile, Arnold Kelly, General Manager of the NCU Media Group expressed his appreciation for institutions like the Windsor School. “When you look at the school and the work it’s doing for persons who are differently abled, then you realise that it’s something that you want to be a part of,” he said.
As the radio station continues its mission of transforming lives through education and wellness and taking positive action, it hopes to inspire more acts of kindness and community-driven projects across the island.
The month-long Act of Kindness series ends on Friday, May 31, 2024 with the NCU Media Group visit to the St. James High School in western Jamaica.
