US charity assists Quick Step Primary School

Last year, US-based charity Pencils 4 Kids embarked on a project to build a library for St Elizabeth's Quick Step Primary School.

Founder Randy Griffiths, who also hails from Quick Step, said he was continuing the work his mother, Darley Robinson, started.

Come December, Griffiths and a team of volunteers will be heading back to the parish to complete the library and stock it with books.

Griffiths told CENTRAL STAR that this year, the focus would be on three things, "completing the community's first library and filling it with books; reinstating the breakfast programme, which provides a meal to any child in need; and continuing their scholarship programme, in which a top student of each graduating class with qualifying marks is sponsored."

Griffith said the most personal project is the annual scholarship.

"This opportunity that has opened up for children growing up in rural Jamaica is remarkable. Without our assistance, some of these students may not have the opportunity to attend top Jamaican high schools," he said.

Among the work carried out by Pencils 4 Kids is the improvement of the overall condition of the school, including the securing of the perimeter fencing around the property, and the restoration of the field.

While expressing gratitude to the charity's sponsors, Griffiths said there are still challenges, as fundraising is always hard.

Griffiths, who attended Quick Step Primary, migrated to the US years ago. His mother started the outreach by taking supplies back to her hometown.

"After she unexpectedly passed, I was honoured to continue her legacy. Motivating and helping others as she did, pushes me to do the same," he said. "Our children are our future and it is our responsibility to do better by them."