By Tanya Ellis, Gleaner WriterBETHEL NEW Testament Basic School received just over $4 million yesterday from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) towards the rehabilitation and expansion programme for the school.
JSIF received funding for the project from the European Union (EU) which granted six million euros to implement poverty reduction programmes on 35 community-based projects.
The official ceremony to mark the launch of the agreement between the school and JSIF was held on the school grounds at Bethel New Testament Church, 9 Rousseau Road, Kingston 5. The school's contribution to the project will include painting the buildings, connecting the electricity and water as well as providing labour and materials for completion of the kitchen. This amount of manual labour will constitute the 25 per cent contribution, which the local community has to put into JSIF-funded projects.
HIGH-CALIBRE PROFESSIONALS
"The JSIF will combine material resources, adequate technology and high-calibre professionals who are characterised by the spirit of public service and a strong work ethic. In fulfilling its mandate, the JSIF will empower communities and build national capacity to effectively implement community-based programmes aimed at social development," said Camille Taylor of JSIF.
Principal of the school, Mrs. Sonia Walton, said that "in addition to the 62 students who currently attend the basic school, another 40 should be able to attend by the time the project is completed."
