U.S. BASED MISSION AND FOOD FOR THE POOR PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED LEWIS TOWN BASIC SCHOOL BUILDING

Kingston, Jamaica: February 20, 2014

Students and staff at the Lewis Town Basic School in Fyffes Pen, St Elizabeth are celebrating the gift of a long awaited new building structure, donated by the United States based Davitt/Ruppert Mission team with assistance from charity organization, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica. Construction and painting of the building took place on the weekend of February 15.

The new building which is expected to accommodate up to 60 students should be ready for use by the end of March.

The school’s principal, Doreen Hylton had high praises for the work of the mission team even as she painted a vivid picture of the conditions under which students had to be taught over the last two decades. “The learning environment at our past location was not conducive to learning,” she said. “We encountered numerous challenges as the structure was made entirely of zinc and this made the children hot and restless.  We also had insufficient space and inadequate sanitation facilities and as a result many persons from the community were ashamed of the school. We have struggled in this environment for over 20 years so I cannot begin to express how elated I am for this new school building.”

“This is a dream come to reality!” Ms. Hylton exclaimed.

Her sentiments were echoed by Keith Miller, a past Chairman of the School’s Board, who explained, “Over the years, the administrators have experienced severe challenges as it relates to finding suitable space but then came Food For The Poor to the rescue. They have in essence written a cheque to Lewis Town which can never be cancelled.”

The Davitt/Ruppert Mission team comprising 25 donors, also constructed a house for a needy resident in the community on the same weekend.

Craig Ruppert, a representative of the donors, in his remarks during the handing over ceremony noted, “Back home, we have many material things but we are not as happy as you are here in Jamaica. That’s why coming to Lewis Town to be part of this project is good for us. We can never have too many schools, so congratulations on your new building and we are happy to work with Food For The Poor as usual.”

Since 2001, the team of Chris Davitt and Craig Ruppert, along with their families and friends have partnered with Food For The Poor to build four schools; 165 housing units; a home for the elderly; equipped a community with a sustainable fishing village project and installed two water projects.  Their efforts have improved the health and living conditions of many throughout Jamaica and Haiti.  Last year, the team of philanthropic individuals, expanded Knoxwood Basic School in St. Elizabeth by constructing additional classrooms to improve the school’s learning environment for students. 

                                  Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.org

Contact: Ceila Morgan, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 550-9330

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T:  984-5005 or 564-288