Founder of Jenny Harriott Foundation, Dr Deborah Gabriel, visited Zion Hill Primary School in Bombay, Manchester, Jamaica, to tour the school, meet the staff and children and see the impact the Foundation is making, as well as to assess future needs.
She was accompanied by her first cousin Albert Harriott, a newly appointed Patron who resides in Jamaica, and his son, Phillip Harriott, who provided transportation for the tour and will supply and install security cameras.
Donations to the school have so far provided new books and funded repairs to drains and paving in the assembly area, and will fund the first Jenny Harriott Annual Scholarship Awards in the summer. However, further repairs are required including installing grass to the playing fields, renovating the gardens, the water fountain area, painting to external walls and relocating the water tanks.
Both staff and students alike were in good spirits, with the children enjoying physical exercise and play in the school grounds. In addition to the school tour, Dr Gabriel and her cousins also visited the Zion Hill Baptist Church, situated behind the school. The church was established in 1872, and a memorial plaque bears the name of Hubert Harriott, who previously served as a Deacon and board member and is the late grandfather of Dr Gabriel and Albert Harriott.
Commenting on the visit, Dr Gabriel said: “It was so uplifting to witness the happiness and joy of the children and see first hand how devoted the staff are to creating an inspirational environment. It’s clear that the praise given in the last National Education Inspectorate (NEI) report for the leadership and management of the school is richly deserved.”