This past week, Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC) and Food For The Poor Jamaica welcomed Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation to build Mount Pleasant Basic School in St. Margarets Bay, Port Antonio, Jamaica.

“We are humbled yet again by the support and commitment of all of our volunteers and donors that chose to partner with our organization as we build yet another school that will impact the children of Jamaica for generations to come,” said Karl Hale, Founder of Helping Hands.

The partnership with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, has been instrumental in making a difference to education across Jamaica. In total, FFPC donors and volunteers have built 30 schools throughout the island, with Helping Hands partnering with FFPC on 19 of these schools. The commitment of Helping Hands to improve access to quality education is tremendous, as they have supported these builds all within the past eight years.

“Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation is a volunteer organization that has been giving back to education in Jamaica for over 10 years. The partnership between FFPC and HHJF has been so successful and we look forward to many more builds together”, said Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Canada.

Mount Pleasant Basic School will provide the teachers and students and the wider community with greater access to educational facilities that are more conducive to teaching and learning, within a safer and healthier environment. The school will include three classrooms, washrooms, kitchen, and a water catchment system.

In sharing her excitement and appreciation, Mrs. Zeta Dunk, Principal of Mount Pleasant Basic School said, “For years we have been suffering at the back of a crammed church room. Every weekend we pack up and on Mondays we unpack, it is challenging. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Food For The Poor and the Donors. Having our own school is going to be fantastic and we will excel”.

About Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation:

Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation was established in the Consul General Office of Anne Marie Bonner June of 2005 where Karl Hale brought forward a concept of supporting his native Jamaica. Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation seeks to improve the lives of the next generation of Jamaicans and their communities by creating a world-class education system through investment in infrastructure, resource materials and expertise. To date, Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation has raised more than $1.5 million dollars that has been directed to provide access to education all over Jamaica thanks to our generous sponsors and donors. HelpingHandsJamaica.com