State Minister Calls on Overseas Jamaicans to Fund School Repairs and Student Support

Overseas Jamaicans have been asked to lend their support to programmes aimed at fixing storm-hit schools and easing the burden on students as the country presses on with recovery from Hurricane Melissa.

Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, issued the appeal on June 16 during a plenary session titled “Connecting, Engaging and Empowering the Youth Diaspora for National Development” at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James.

The State Minister set out concrete steps through which members of the diaspora could join national rebuilding work while helping learners get ready for the upcoming school term. She said the graduation period offers a timely opening for overseas Jamaicans to stand with young people by offering scholarships, grants, and educational prizes.

“You can visit a school in the community you are from or any other school across Jamaica. You can say to the principal, ‘I want to give back in a tangible way. Graduation is coming up. Could I do an award in my name’?” she said.

Ms. Crawford said help could include tuition support, book allowances, tablets, and other learning materials to keep students on track academically. She also drew attention to repair work under way at institutions battered by the hurricane.

“Quite a number of them, more than 600 of them were damaged following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Through our ministry and the National Education Trust (NET), we have been working aggressively to have the schools repaired. But, of course, we still need your help,” the State Minister said.

She stressed that even small gifts can strengthen schools and surrounding communities while restoration continues. “So, if you see a school and you want to give back, even before you go, you can stop by. You can offer two bags of cement, a load of marl. You never know where your small help can go,” she said.

Ms. Crawford urged diaspora members to look for ways to assist schools and students in the areas they care about, noting that each gesture counts. “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted,” Ms. Crawford said.