Achievements

We have made stellar achievements over the past ten years and our programmes have had significant impact on the community. Highlights of our achievements are:

Recent:

• Our mediation efforts have brought about ongoing peace during the past two years between warring factions.
• Staff members are attending University after returning to school and passing several CXC subjects at the Grade I level.

The YOTS programme has had significant accomplishments with its short duration. Highlights are:

• All students have made significant strides in learning to read and write.
• Students have learnt skills that will enable them to become self-reliant
• There have been remarkable improvements in the behaviour of participants as there are now relatively few fights as students have been learning how to resolve conflicts.
• Self-esteem and self-confidents have risen to previously unimagined heights

Over the last ten years:

The programmes have grown steadily and all the objectives have been met to varying degrees of success. In the six years since the inception of the remedial programme, it has achieved phenomenal results and, although too numerous to mention, some of the highlights are listed below:

1. More than 800 students have enrolled in the school since its inception and each has achieved different levels of success.
2. A significant number of students previously unable to read and write are now attending traditional high schools.

3. Successful students in the Grade Nine Achievement Test, 2000

   For the three years we participated in the Grade Nine Achievement Test, we maintained an 80% average success rate.
4. Many graduates are now peer counselors, prefects and outstanding students at top ranking high and vocational schools in Kingston.
5. With a ratio of approximately four boys to one girl, many boys stated they were led into criminal activities because of having to defend themselves from the shame of illiteracy. However, now that they are able to read and write their confidence and self-esteem have risen to undreamed of heights and there has been a significant reduction in behavioural problems.
6. Operation Restoration has received commendations from Jamaican and international news media including the Jamaica Observer, the Jamaica Daily Gleaner, CVM TV and TVJ in Jamaica and the BBC and The Guardian newspaper and Daily Mail in the UK (see Media reports).
7. The Jamaica Observer published an article regarding our incentive programme which the Norman Gardens Primary and Junior High School in Kingston have adapted. Education Officer for Region One in the Ministry of Education, Jacqui Moriah, stated in that article that she was impressed when she saw the point system in operation and that “It has already made some positive impression on the young minds. . .”
8. More than 18 previously unemployed adults have been gainfully employed.
9. We have established many viable community projects, including a chicken farm and a natural juice bar.