KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant educational recovery program has been initiated by Project STAR in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica to address the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa on local schools. The initiative, formally titled the Project STAR Hurricane Melissa Educational Re-Start Initiative, is financed through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) with a substantial contribution of CA$50,000.
The program specifically targets the restoration of safe learning environments and enhancement of psychosocial support systems across three educational institutions in Westmoreland and St James parishes. Beneficiary schools include Sir Clifford Campbell Primary in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, along with Salt Spring Primary and Hartfield Basic School, both located in Salt Spring, St James.
According to program organizers, this comprehensive intervention will directly benefit 630 students and approximately 42 educators and administrative staff members. Project STAR Director Saffrey Brown emphasized that the organization’s pre-existing community relationships enabled a rapid and effective response following the hurricane’s destruction.
The recovery program operates through two fundamental pillars: physical infrastructure support and psychological assistance. The first component involves providing essential classroom furniture, partitions, chalkboards, educational materials, water access solutions, and critical structural repairs to damaged school facilities. These resources have already facilitated the safe resumption of educational activities while reconstruction continues.
The second pillar implements a structured one-month psychosocial support program for primary school-aged children, delivered by trained community volunteers under professional guidance. These therapeutic sessions are specifically designed to help young students process storm-related trauma, develop emotional resilience, and reestablish routines and stability in their lives.
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mark Berman recently conducted site visits to Hartfield Basic School and Salt Spring Primary School to observe recovery progress firsthand. During his tour, Commissioner Berman interacted with school administrators, teachers, parents, and students, witnessing the tangible outcomes of the Canadian-funded initiative.
Principal Natalie Hamilton of Sir Clifford Campbell Primary School reported transformative results from the psychosocial interventions, noting significant improvements in students’ emotional well-being and social interactions since the program’s implementation.