Past Projects
Logwood Basic School
In 2002, Great Shape! worked with the Logwood Basic School (preschool)
to
expand
and rebuild the existing school by 1000 sq ft. (from 800 sq. ft.)
to better
educate and serve the 159 children ages 3 to 6. Logwood is a small
rural
agricultural community in the Parish of Hanover, about 15 miles from
the
resort
town of Negril.
Board VP Gretchen Facey successfully
orchestrated this construction project in record speed (5 weeks!).
Many
members of the community contributed in various ways including many
parents.
The project also funded building new desks for 100 children, a new
kitchen
and
bathrooms.
Peggy
Barry Primary School Refurbishment Project – JSIF
In 1998, Great Shape! worked with the Peggy Barry Primary School
Principal,
Mr.
Eric Coote, and the PTA to write and submit a proposal to secure
$100,000 US
from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund to refurbish the busy but
dilapidated
school. Over 400 children attended this school, which prior to the
project,
had
leaking roofs. In addition to repairing the roof, this project funded
replacement of unsafe outhouses with flush toilets, a proper drainage
system, a
school fence and walls to separate the classrooms so each class could
concentrate better on the lessons.
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Brompton Road Project
Great Shape secured a grant from the USA to rebuild a road in small
self
sufficient community in the Parish of St. Elizabeth that had a history
of
making
pottery to sell. Due to hurricane Gilbert the all important access
road had
been washed out. This project saw the road restored so raw materials
could
enter and finished products could be shipped out by truck.
Peggy Barry Basic School (Myrtle Anne Franklin Preschool)
Unofficially re-named after the founder of Great Shape!, this preschool
was
built in 1996 with the generous support of $20,000 US from the Butler
Family
Fund in Washington D.C. Peggy Barry, steeped in the history and current
work of
sugar cane, is one of the most economically challenged communities
in
Jamaica.
Prior to building the preschool, the communities 115 preschoolers
were
taught in
a makeshift classroom of 15’ by 15’ with no windows,
ventilation or proper
lighting. The new school, roughly 3000’ sq. ft., boasts plenty
of space,
light
and fresh air that is requisite to promoting a proper early childhood
education.
Other Works
Great Shape has rebuilt at least one community center whose roof
was blown
of by
hurricane Gilbert.
Great Shape has organized many volunteers to visit Jamaica often
assisting
in
schools. 1998 saw the arrival of 15 students from the University
of
Pittsburgh
at St Catherine Primary School in Montego Bay. These students spent
their
spring break teaching kids art, sports, math, English and more.
Great Shape has assisted with basketball development at the high
school and
adult community league levels while assisting with placement for
overseas
scholarship to play in US colleges.
Other projects include the delivery of hundreds of toothbrushes,
medical
supplies, sports equipment, educational materials and books.
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