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| The Jamaican Education & Recreation Support Program Feed the Hunger Educate the Younger |
| About the Jamaican Education Support Program The Jamaican Education & Recreation Support Program was founded in 1989 by D.J. Gordon, a native of Westmoreland Jamaica. Delroy Jonathon Gordon was born in Westmoreland Jamaica in 1957 to a family of 10 children. As farmers, they raised crops and livestock for a living. Like almost everyone else in the community, they struggled to keep the children clothed and fed. From an early age, DJ was up before dawn every day working on the farm. He was a dedicated student when he was able to attend school, and recognized the value of education and hard work in realizing his dreams for the future. In 1985, he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to come to the U.S. His intention when he left Jamaica was to find a way in which he could return with help for his struggling community. Because DJ has always had a special concern for children, he founded the Jamaican Education & Recreation Support Program in 1989. DJ believes in "building talents"- - that is, encouraging people to find their specialty and pursue their full potential, no matter what the obstacles may be. For the children, of the Rolling River Basic School, he does this by letting them know that there are people here in the U.S. who care and want to help them succeed. His efforts have been focused on raising support in two basic schools in Jamaica: The Rolling River Basic School, a one room school house located in his home-town of Rolling River, and the Maroontown Basic School in Maroontown, Jamaica. The Rolling River Basic School was built in 1989 by the Rolling River Citizen's Association, a self-help empowerment organization in Westmoreland. Initially, the Peace Corps was involved in the development of the school. About 100 children between the ages of three and five attend the schools. The schools are founded on the principle of encouraging the attainment of literacy and education among the young people in the community at an early age and increasing the self-esteem of the children. Both schools are located in rural, undeveloped areas with high illiteracy rates. Almost everyone in the communities lives in poverty. Because of this, the teachers cannot ask the parents to provide any supplies for their children, and the schools are not funded nationally. Therefore, they are in great need of supplies to support the education of the children. Also, due to the size of the school, the number of children who may attend is limited. If the school was expanded, more children could attend. Their facilities are also in need of improvement in the form of electricity, plumbing, and educational equipment. Since 1989, DJ has been working on realizing his vision of raising support for the children who attend these schools through the Jamaican Education & Recreation Support Program. He has raised supplies for the schools, which he always delivers at his own expense, through a variety of fund-raisers, ranging from fashion shows to Live Music at the Fox Theatre to Caribbean Dance Parties. However, the schools are continuously in need of more supplies and educational equipment as well as funds for the improvement of the facility in the form of electricity and plumbing. Today, the Jamaican Education & Support Program consists of many people who are working together to raise the support needed to give the children the opportunity to pursue their education, follow their dreams, and believe in themselves. Short Term Goals: 1-2 years: To raise school supplies for the Rolling River Basic School and for the Maroontown Basic School in Jamaica and to raise funds for the improvement and expansion of the facilities of the schools, such as plumbing and electricity as well as to build a soccer field and provide equipment such as cleats for the Rolling River Football Team. Additionally, we would like to begin a community library in the area. 2-5 years: To establish a workshop program where children may learn about a variety of subjects including history, music, art & crafts, sports & fitness, gardening, computers, industrial arts, environmental awareness and many more which would be taught by people of any nationality wishing to share with the children. The goal of the program is to allow the children to learn about new ideas in a positive environment, to increase their international awareness and self-esteem, and to encourage them to pursue their unique abilities and interests. Long Term Goals: 5 years +: Our long term goal is to raise funds to buy 12 acres of land to run an agricultural school in Westmoreland to teach the people to be self-sufficient by growing their own food. The project will offer the opportunity to Americans or people from any country to be involved in cross-cultural exchange through teaching workshops in a variety of areas. Short-term and long-term workshops will be held in many areas ranging from agricultural techniques, carpentry, canning, juicing, herbal medicinery, and health consciousness, to name a few. The purpose of the project is to encourage development and self-empowerment in the community using the natural resources of the land. To be a part of the Jamaican Education & Recreation Support Program, please contact D.J. Gordon at (1-303-592-3976) |
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