Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
LISTER MAIR-GILBY Comprehensive and Junior High School for the Deaf is a special school. So special is it to the community of Papine that the institution attracted three major Labour Day projects.
Two of the projects were from corporate companies, Capital and Credit Merchant Bank (CCMB) and Irie Isle, a beverage company. The other project was from service club, Kiwanis Club of Liguanea.
The staff of CCMB could be seen busily giving a facelift to the school as they painted the academic blocks when The Gleaner visited yesterday morning.
"We have been associated with persons who are less fortunate in terms of the programmes that we sponsor. I believe that we will continue to support the school in the days ahead or perhaps years ahead," said Ryland Campbell, chairman of Capital and Credit.
Not yet a year old, Irie Isle is already setting a good example as its staff also painted the vocational block of the school.
"Our (commitment) is one of ongoing assistance to the school community because not only are we trying to function as a business in a competitive environment, but also to help," said Richard McLeish, managing director of the company.
WALKWAY COMPLETED
The Kiwanis Club of Liguanea also completed a walkway connecting the academic block to the vocational block.
Trevor Dunn, a member of the service club, said the project had commenced some years ago by the club after the school expressed the need for the linkway as, when rain fell, it was difficult to access the classroom from the administrative block.
Clara Ricketts, principal of the school, was overwhelmed by the special attention that the institution got, yesterday.
"I am very elated, very happy and satisfied that blessings have come our way on this Labour Day and (I am) extremely thankful to the various groups that have chosen to work with us today," Ms. Ricketts told The Gleaner.
She said that, through their assistance, the companies and service group were making a tremendous contribution to the school.
"When the environment is looking good and pleasant it enhances learning. Our students are more comfortable; they are stimulated, they are motivated when they are in a pleasant environment," she said.
Established 40 years ago, Lister Mair- Gilby is a special education school which has a student population of 74, aged 12 to 20 years.
