Digicel Foundation participates in the Opening of the Newly Completed Mount Carey Baptist Basic School

Kingston, Jamaica – 26 August 2010: After toiling long and hard for over four years to complete their new School Building, the gates and doors of the Mount Carey Baptist Basic School officially opened on August 26, 2010. Through various individuals and organizations, including Digicel Foundation, the school will welcome over 125 students, when school resumes next month.

“We were heartened by the effort that the school and its board had made as they pulled on their various talents and know-how to garner the much needed assistance and support for this worthy project,” shared Eleen Rankine, Administrator of Digicel Foundation. “With great input and sweat equity, the Mount Carey Baptist Church was able to generate a strong synergy from many organizations, Digicel Foundation being one of them, to make this dream a reality.”

In 1996, the Mount Carey Baptist Church opened its doors to 26 toddlers of the community to attend the Mount Carey Baptist Basic School. For 13 years, the school operated out of the Church Hall until 2008 when the school sought to fulfil the Early Childhood Commission registration process. They were informed that the school had to be relocated in order for this process to be complete. Being one of only two basic schools in the area, the school could not close its doors and so the rally for the cause began. To seek funding to accomplish this, seemingly, huge goal, the Church took the first step by permitting the school to use another section of their property for the new construction.  

Through various fundraising efforts from the school community and church, the building was 85% complete by September 2009. Approximately 125 students were enrolled for the school year, and attended classes in their new building.

Digicel Foundation was asked to offer assistance in putting the final touches on the building. This included fencing and gates, equipping the play area, embedding the electrics and completing the painting of the school.

“We are all overjoyed that after four long years, we have completed this project,” commented Principal Andrea Reid of the Mount Carey Baptist Basic School. “I know that the students will be comfortable and happy while attending school here,” she finished.

The Mount Carey Baptist Basic School boasts four classrooms, an office, kitchen, restrooms and a fully equipped play area.