Four hundred and twenty four (424) early childhood pupils in Clarendon will benefit from a safer environment – this as Energy Company JPS, in partnership with the United Way of Jamaica, recently donated fire safety equipment to ten early childhood institutions operating in the parish.

Under the Early Childhood Act, early childhood institutions ought to have adequate protective and fire safety equipment, for the protection of the youngsters in their care.  Many of the roughly 2,600 basic and infant schools in Jamaica, do not meet this stipulation.  The United Way of Jamaica in partnership with JPS has undertaken a project to supply 64 fire extinguishers at a cost of $650,000, to help meet this requirement.

The handing over ceremony, which took place at the Start Smart Pre-School in May Pen, saw principals from the ten institutions, receiving fire extinguishers for their schools.  The principals were also instructed in the use of the equipment by  Divisional Head of the Jamaica Fire Brigade in Clarendon, Deputy Superintendent Julian Davis-Buckle and Corporal Thompson.

Speaking at the event, JPS Parish Manager for Clarendon, Roger Kennedy, noted that the Company deems it part of its social responsibility to support our youth and help them maximize their educational opportunities.

Meanwhile, Director of United Way of Jamaica, Jerome Maxwell impressed on the audience, the importance of using the equipment properly and safely, in order to ensure that they experience the full benefit of the donation.
 
Also present at the ceremony were: JPS Director for Region South, Keith Garvey; and Supervisor of Early Childhood Development Services, Blanzie Blake.

The schools which received fire extinguishers were:
Amity Hall Basic School in Amity;
Power of Faith Basic School in Gimme Me Bit ;
Colonel’s Ridge Basic School in Colonel’s Ridge;
Evelyn Mitchell Infant School in Top Hill District;
Good Hope Early Childhood Centre in Good Hope District, Kellits;
Grace Baptist Basic School in Bucks Common;
Start Smart Pre-School in May Pen;
Morris Hall Basic School in Morris Hall District;
Staceyville Basic School in Kellits;
and Love Lane Basic School in May Pen.