Dear Editor,
In this season of celebrating God's love to us, by giving to each other, Gideon Educational Centre (GEC) would appreciate you giving us the opportunity to publicly give thanks to God and to those who have helped us during our school journey this year. Even though our school was "burnt" by "Miss Sandy" and some of our parents impoverished by her, we have been blessed.
First to the Member of Parliament for West Portland, Hon Daryl Vaz, we say "Thank you!", on behalf of two of our G6 students, Kadian Gordon and Tehirah Robinson. Both got the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) National Awards for Portland (and in addition, none of our students failed the math segment).
Shortly after the results were publicised, I received a congratulatory call and enquiry from MP Vaz.
"This is the kind of achievement I want to encourage and honour", Mr Vaz said to me. "What are the priority needs of the children, their parents and your school?" he then asked.
We interviewed the parents and children and it was determined that assistance with lunch and travelling was needed by one family and employment in the Food Services industry by the other. The school was also in need of materials to give privacy to two classes and the boys' bathroom.
We really didn't expect to hear anything else, because quite often, persons in both private sector and Government promise help and don't follow through.
But MP Vaz did keep his word! We were given the needed materials for classroom and bathroom improvement. In addition, one family began getting weekly assistance, and the other parent, as soon as she graduates from HEART with her recognised certificate in Food Preparation, is assured of a job through the advocacy of the MP.
Second, to the Team of Digicel, Camara Foundation, and again the Member of Parliament, we say another "Thank You" for two office computers. For over a year now we have been operating our office with no computers or with borrowed laptops. We are required to teach, learn and compete in our national and global community with much fewer resources and many more challenges than our city and overseas counterparts. So we are thankful to the MP, Digicel and Camara Foundation for their assistance to help us compete.
Then third, to IBM Foundation, we say "thank you" for two "Kids Smart" Early Childhood computers! Our creative educators have been using drawings, mobiles and mock computers to teach our children IT skills, but thanks to IMB we can now add to our creativity the real items and have our smart kids experience "Kids Smart".
Fourth and last but not least, Sandy's devastation of Portland caused about $800,000 damage to our school buildings and affected some of our parents' ability to pay school fees. Devastation and no income are horrible "twins"!
Even though we quickly rallied together and did basic repairs to our roofs and reopened school after a week of closure, we were facing a dismal Christmas. But "Thank you!" to the Jamaica Broilers Foundation who at the last moment became God's "ever present help in time of trouble!" They helped us with just enough to be able to help our school family "feed" themselves for Christmas.
Our school community is committed to pulling together and surviving any rough financial time or natural disaster (we have the best and most committed teachers in the island)! But it really makes a difference when others "lend a helping hand" and give us hope as we continue loving, nurturing and teaching our precious children.
Editor, besides our GSAT achievements, Gideon Educational Centre previously has been recognised as the most environmentally aware school. We launched Jamaica's first school-based Vision 2030 Club, we had no GSAT math failures in a region not yet excelling in math, and our children display a confidence and loving awareness of God, self and others not often seen at other schools.
We wish you peace, prosperity and God's Blessings this Christmas Season and always.
Michael Aiken
Director and Corresponding Sponsor
Gideon Educational Centre
Buff Bay, Portland
Gideon gives thanks for support
-->
In this season of celebrating God's love to us, by giving to each other, Gideon Educational Centre (GEC) would appreciate you giving us the opportunity to publicly give thanks to God and to those who have helped us during our school journey this year. Even though our school was "burnt" by "Miss Sandy" and some of our parents impoverished by her, we have been blessed.
First to the Member of Parliament for West Portland, Hon Daryl Vaz, we say "Thank you!", on behalf of two of our G6 students, Kadian Gordon and Tehirah Robinson. Both got the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) National Awards for Portland (and in addition, none of our students failed the math segment).
Shortly after the results were publicised, I received a congratulatory call and enquiry from MP Vaz.
"This is the kind of achievement I want to encourage and honour", Mr Vaz said to me. "What are the priority needs of the children, their parents and your school?" he then asked.
We interviewed the parents and children and it was determined that assistance with lunch and travelling was needed by one family and employment in the Food Services industry by the other. The school was also in need of materials to give privacy to two classes and the boys' bathroom.
We really didn't expect to hear anything else, because quite often, persons in both private sector and Government promise help and don't follow through.
But MP Vaz did keep his word! We were given the needed materials for classroom and bathroom improvement. In addition, one family began getting weekly assistance, and the other parent, as soon as she graduates from HEART with her recognised certificate in Food Preparation, is assured of a job through the advocacy of the MP.
Second, to the Team of Digicel, Camara Foundation, and again the Member of Parliament, we say another "Thank You" for two office computers. For over a year now we have been operating our office with no computers or with borrowed laptops. We are required to teach, learn and compete in our national and global community with much fewer resources and many more challenges than our city and overseas counterparts. So we are thankful to the MP, Digicel and Camara Foundation for their assistance to help us compete.
Then third, to IBM Foundation, we say "thank you" for two "Kids Smart" Early Childhood computers! Our creative educators have been using drawings, mobiles and mock computers to teach our children IT skills, but thanks to IMB we can now add to our creativity the real items and have our smart kids experience "Kids Smart".
Fourth and last but not least, Sandy's devastation of Portland caused about $800,000 damage to our school buildings and affected some of our parents' ability to pay school fees. Devastation and no income are horrible "twins"!
Even though we quickly rallied together and did basic repairs to our roofs and reopened school after a week of closure, we were facing a dismal Christmas. But "Thank you!" to the Jamaica Broilers Foundation who at the last moment became God's "ever present help in time of trouble!" They helped us with just enough to be able to help our school family "feed" themselves for Christmas.
Our school community is committed to pulling together and surviving any rough financial time or natural disaster (we have the best and most committed teachers in the island)! But it really makes a difference when others "lend a helping hand" and give us hope as we continue loving, nurturing and teaching our precious children.
Editor, besides our GSAT achievements, Gideon Educational Centre previously has been recognised as the most environmentally aware school. We launched Jamaica's first school-based Vision 2030 Club, we had no GSAT math failures in a region not yet excelling in math, and our children display a confidence and loving awareness of God, self and others not often seen at other schools.
We wish you peace, prosperity and God's Blessings this Christmas Season and always.
Michael Aiken
Director and Corresponding Sponsor
Gideon Educational Centre
Buff Bay, Portland
Gideon gives thanks for support
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