Hearts of Gratitude! Children supported by the Digicel Foundation have fun while posing for their picture with (back, left to right) Sonita Abrahams, Executive Director, RISE Life Management Services; Shawn McGregor, Programme Manager, RISE Life Management Services; Jennifer Spence-Silvera, Programme Manager/Education and Special Needs, Digicel Foundation; and Juliet Campbell McPherson, Principal, St. Michael’s Primary School in Kingston.
Kingston, Jamaica – Monday, June 3, 2019: Students with special needs at St. Michael’s Primary School in downtown Kingston have been receiving additional support from the Digicel Foundation, through a programme administered by the non-governmental organisation RISE Life Management Services on sexual abuse prevention. The programme in nine schools, entitled Find Your Voice, ended on May 31. St. Michael’s Primary is one of three special schools in Jamaica selected by Patron of the Digicel Foundation Dennis O’Brien and his wife Catherine to benefit from extensive renovation, revitalizing the learning environment.
Principal Juliet Campbell McPherson noted that the school has eighteen pupils with special needs, who are integrated into the school – playing, working and eating lunch together. “It is inclusive,” said Mrs. Campbell McPherson, adding: “We want our children to be heard. Children are being abused and are afraid to speak – this is what is happening in society now. This programme has motivated them through the performing arts, music and other tools.” She wants students to be reassured that they can talk to trained personnel such as guidance counsellors, “who can comfort and support them.” The Principal said such programmes are “absolutely necessary, especially in the inner city” over the long term. Now that the school has resources available, it will continue to work with the students on prevention education, noted Mrs. Campbell McPherson.
Executive Director at the Digicel Foundation Karlene Dawson pointed to its long-term partnership with the school. “St. Michael’s is an example of the Foundation’s dedication to our youth, especially those with mental and physical challenges,” said Ms. Dawson. “We are pleased to have added this critical extra dimension to the excellent and much-needed programme conceived by RISE Life Management Services. Sadly, our children – especially those with special needs – are vulnerable, and need to understand these messages on how to keep themselves safe.”
“What is exciting about Digicel Foundation being able to come in with us is that we were able to go into the schools with disabled populations and work with those children – something that we have not done much of before. It was very well received and appreciated,” said Sonita Abrahams, Executive Director of RISE Life Management Services. She concluded: “I think it went very well, and we got excellent feedback. It has been exciting for our team, a wonderful success!”
Project Coordinator at RISE, Ms. Cammoy Robinson called the programme with special needs students “a very enlightening experience.” Her team collaborated closely with and learned from the teachers. She noted that many children responded “with their emotions,” and that the most effective way to communicate with them was through music. Songs explaining self-esteem, “good and bad touches,” and ways in which they can take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, delighted and resonated with the children, noted Ms. Robinson.
Principal Campbell McPherson, who has been teaching at St. Michael’s for 24 years, reiterated how much she values Digicel Foundation’s support. For her part, she says she wants her young charges to regard the school as “an oasis.”
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The Location! St. Michael’s Primary School in downtown Kingston is one of three schools in Jamaica specially selected by Patron of the Digicel Foundation Dennis O’Brien and his wife Catherine to benefit from an extensive renovation.
Jamaica Highlights 