'Over-the-hill' seniors lift youngsters from the valley

Published: Monday | August 3, 2009


A handful of mainly elderly women from the semi-developed district of Barbary Hall, St Elizabeth, are living proof of the Jamaican proverb, 'Every mickle mek a muckle'.

From meagre resources, the Barbary Hall Church School Foundation has launched a mission to rescue wayward children by helping them return to school.

"We see the need in the community and, although education is free, there are still a lot of expenses facing parents," Florence Haye, a founding member, told The Gleaner.

"We provide three scholarships annually, $10,000 each, and whoever else applies, we give them a grant of $4,000 or $5,000 based on what is available," Haye added.

The foundation earns the bulk of its money through an annual raffle and bazaar, but that is hardly enough to meet the needs of the scores of children who request assistance.

"Anybody who wants to assist us can give us a hand because, as you notice, most of us are in our senior years like me, who have gone over the hill and gone over another hill and going over another hill," Maudlyn Roach added.

Tracks progress

The foundation sets strict guidelines for its scholarship winners and tracks their progress over the years.

"One of the students we have assisted is now training to be a teacher and several of them have gone on to universities," said Haye.

The foundation reaches out specially to children with behavioural problems.

"We don't give up on anyone. When you see kids out there being rude, there has to be a reason for their behaviour and if we can pick up that reason and help those children, that would be wonderful and that is why we keep going," Monica Buchanan chimed in.

"The children, they say, are this and that, but with good leadership they can come forward. I remember years ago there was a young man at a particular school and he was a known troublemaker. Now, he is a senior police officer and a disciplinarian of the highest order."

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

'We don't give up on anyone. When you see kids out there being rude, there has to be a reason for their behaviour.'