School Tablet Fund
Donation protected
COVID-19's Impact on Jamaica
The COVID-19 pandemic currently devastating the world is adversely impacting our most vulnerable; children. Families in Jamaica were having a hard time way before COVID-19 shut down our country's economy and eventually our schools. Unfortunately, this pandemic has sent more families into further despair and poverty.
Why Are We Raising Funds?
The Government of Jamaica has since initiated a distance learning plan for all public schools. This means that households need distance learning capabilities such as the internet and tablets. These are not provided by the Government, as such, we are seeking the help of Greater Portmore Primary Alumni, the business community, both local and international, as well as regular people like you and me.
What Does the School Need?
We need your help to raise funds to donate 50 tablets to the Greater Portmore Primary School in Portmore, St. Catherine. Your generosity will ensure that all students receive an equitable and quality education.
When Does the School Need the Tablets?
The tablets are urgently needed as students are currently unable to attend distance learning/virtual classes.
The Kids
Greater Portmore Primary School kids were the winners of the Caribbean Child Research 2016 .
Our children care about and are taught about the importance of the environment and food security.
About This Amazing Primary School
On September 2, 1994, at 9:30 a.m. eight teachers along with Acting Principal Mrs. Vida Morris and Education Officer Mrs. Pommells Barrett met for their first meeting at the Greater Portmore Primary School. Chairs were borrowed from the nearby 2 East residents as there was no furniture at the school.
The Greater Portmore Primary School opened its doors to 219 students on September 5, 1994. Blessing of the building was done by Rev. Carol Watson, Pastor, at the time, of the Elim Open Bible Church. She admonished parents, students and teachers to make the institution the best it can be to the glory of God.
Blocks 5, 6 and 7 of the compound were to be occupied. There were three first grades, two-second grades, two-third grades and later a fourth grade was added. As parents filed in with children there was a questioning look on the faces of parents as there was no furniture in classrooms. Consequently, pupils were sent home early.
The school was without electricity for the first four months of operation. During this time, cold products for the tuck shop were frozen and supplied to the school daily. The unsold products were collected at the end of each day. Initial contacts with Telecommunications of Jamaica, turned Cable & Wireless, and now known as LIME, proved futile initially. It took one year and five months before telephone service was installed.
The canteen was started towards the middle of 1995. The necessity was seen to provide the children with a cooked meal. We continually strive to enlarge our curriculum so that our pupils can be offered an even greater opportunity to exercise their abilities. The addition of Science, Reading Resource, Music and Art Rooms have given great impetus to our efforts.
From the first year, the school was actively involved in the festival and literary competitions with high performances, capturing several awards. All students are exposed to Physical Education which allows them to compete in sporting activities such as athletics, football, netball and volleyball. The children are placed in three houses: - Thomas (Red), Cunningham (Green) and Knight (Gold).
It was felt that if the school should make the required impact on the 'whole child' it would have to focus on a wide range of activities whether they be of an educational, social or cultural nature. This led to the formation of a Dance Club, Red Cross, Speech and Drama Club, Art and Craft Club, to mention a few.
We continue to 'Strive for Excellence' and as we enter new phases of our educational development. May our efforts be welcomed and supported by all with the full cooperation that education justly deserves for the successes of our nation.
Learn more here
Who Is Overseeing This Initiate?
Greater Portmore Primary Alumni, with the blessing and help of the staff at the school, came together to make this a reality. Here are the people behind this amazing plan.
Devon Thompson
I am a pass graduate of Greater Portmore Primary School (GPPS) and attended Kingston College. Graduated from GPPS in the year 2000 and from Kingston College in the year 2005. I've since earned my Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering from the Caribbean Maritime Institute in Kingston, Jamaica as well as my Advanced Diploma in Energy Systems Engineering Technology for Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario.
I immigrated to Canada in 2014 and have since been married with 2 young boys, ages 6 months and 3 years. I currently work at the Toronto Catholic District School Board in Toronto, Ontario and operate my own company, Baby Cres Limited in Canada and Baby Cres Accessories Limited in Jamaica.
As a father of 2, and as the child of parents who did everything in their power to ensure that I had a great education, I could not stand by while children from my alma mater are rejected the same opportunities I was afforded.
Please donate to this fund today, so that no child that attends the Greater Portmore Primary School in Jamaica, goes without education for another day.
How to contact me
My Instagram Handle: @vonsonworld
Baby Cres Canada: @babycresworld
Baby Cres Jamaica: @babycresja
www.babycres.com
Ophelia Green-Witter
As a pass student of GPPS, I felt an urgent need to respond to the crisis in education that it now faces. I graduated from Holy Child Hood High School in Jamaica and later migrated to the USA. I am a business owner, just like my primary school friend Devon. I operate Ophelias Sweet Treats in New York.
As a mother of a beautiful little girl and a nurse by profession, I have a great need to nurture. This is what you are doing when you donate to this fund, you are nurturing students of the next generation.
How to contact me
My Instagram Handle: @lia_green
Ophelia's Sweet Treats: @opheliassweet
www.opheliassweettreats.com
The COVID-19 pandemic currently devastating the world is adversely impacting our most vulnerable; children. Families in Jamaica were having a hard time way before COVID-19 shut down our country's economy and eventually our schools. Unfortunately, this pandemic has sent more families into further despair and poverty.
Why Are We Raising Funds?
The Government of Jamaica has since initiated a distance learning plan for all public schools. This means that households need distance learning capabilities such as the internet and tablets. These are not provided by the Government, as such, we are seeking the help of Greater Portmore Primary Alumni, the business community, both local and international, as well as regular people like you and me.
What Does the School Need?
We need your help to raise funds to donate 50 tablets to the Greater Portmore Primary School in Portmore, St. Catherine. Your generosity will ensure that all students receive an equitable and quality education.
When Does the School Need the Tablets?
The tablets are urgently needed as students are currently unable to attend distance learning/virtual classes.
The Kids
Greater Portmore Primary School kids were the winners of the Caribbean Child Research 2016 .
Our children care about and are taught about the importance of the environment and food security.
About This Amazing Primary School
On September 2, 1994, at 9:30 a.m. eight teachers along with Acting Principal Mrs. Vida Morris and Education Officer Mrs. Pommells Barrett met for their first meeting at the Greater Portmore Primary School. Chairs were borrowed from the nearby 2 East residents as there was no furniture at the school.
The Greater Portmore Primary School opened its doors to 219 students on September 5, 1994. Blessing of the building was done by Rev. Carol Watson, Pastor, at the time, of the Elim Open Bible Church. She admonished parents, students and teachers to make the institution the best it can be to the glory of God.
Blocks 5, 6 and 7 of the compound were to be occupied. There were three first grades, two-second grades, two-third grades and later a fourth grade was added. As parents filed in with children there was a questioning look on the faces of parents as there was no furniture in classrooms. Consequently, pupils were sent home early.
The school was without electricity for the first four months of operation. During this time, cold products for the tuck shop were frozen and supplied to the school daily. The unsold products were collected at the end of each day. Initial contacts with Telecommunications of Jamaica, turned Cable & Wireless, and now known as LIME, proved futile initially. It took one year and five months before telephone service was installed.
The canteen was started towards the middle of 1995. The necessity was seen to provide the children with a cooked meal. We continually strive to enlarge our curriculum so that our pupils can be offered an even greater opportunity to exercise their abilities. The addition of Science, Reading Resource, Music and Art Rooms have given great impetus to our efforts.
From the first year, the school was actively involved in the festival and literary competitions with high performances, capturing several awards. All students are exposed to Physical Education which allows them to compete in sporting activities such as athletics, football, netball and volleyball. The children are placed in three houses: - Thomas (Red), Cunningham (Green) and Knight (Gold).
It was felt that if the school should make the required impact on the 'whole child' it would have to focus on a wide range of activities whether they be of an educational, social or cultural nature. This led to the formation of a Dance Club, Red Cross, Speech and Drama Club, Art and Craft Club, to mention a few.
We continue to 'Strive for Excellence' and as we enter new phases of our educational development. May our efforts be welcomed and supported by all with the full cooperation that education justly deserves for the successes of our nation.
Learn more here
Who Is Overseeing This Initiate?
Greater Portmore Primary Alumni, with the blessing and help of the staff at the school, came together to make this a reality. Here are the people behind this amazing plan.
Devon Thompson
I am a pass graduate of Greater Portmore Primary School (GPPS) and attended Kingston College. Graduated from GPPS in the year 2000 and from Kingston College in the year 2005. I've since earned my Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering from the Caribbean Maritime Institute in Kingston, Jamaica as well as my Advanced Diploma in Energy Systems Engineering Technology for Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario.
I immigrated to Canada in 2014 and have since been married with 2 young boys, ages 6 months and 3 years. I currently work at the Toronto Catholic District School Board in Toronto, Ontario and operate my own company, Baby Cres Limited in Canada and Baby Cres Accessories Limited in Jamaica.
As a father of 2, and as the child of parents who did everything in their power to ensure that I had a great education, I could not stand by while children from my alma mater are rejected the same opportunities I was afforded.
Please donate to this fund today, so that no child that attends the Greater Portmore Primary School in Jamaica, goes without education for another day.
How to contact me
My Instagram Handle: @vonsonworld
Baby Cres Canada: @babycresworld
Baby Cres Jamaica: @babycresja
www.babycres.com
Ophelia Green-Witter
As a pass student of GPPS, I felt an urgent need to respond to the crisis in education that it now faces. I graduated from Holy Child Hood High School in Jamaica and later migrated to the USA. I am a business owner, just like my primary school friend Devon. I operate Ophelias Sweet Treats in New York.
As a mother of a beautiful little girl and a nurse by profession, I have a great need to nurture. This is what you are doing when you donate to this fund, you are nurturing students of the next generation.
How to contact me
My Instagram Handle: @lia_green
Ophelia's Sweet Treats: @opheliassweet
www.opheliassweettreats.com
Fundraising team (3)
Devon Thompson
Organizer
Tottenham, ON
Ophelia Green-Witter
Team member
Greater Portmore Primary School
Team member