Although the needs of Operation Restoration are many, there are particular areas in which assistance would greatly strengthen our capacity to better serve the community. These areas are listed below:
Programme Development and Expansion
Due to the overwhelming success of the Grade Nine Achievement Test, there has been an increased demand for enrolment in the school. This has necessitated a need for more teachers, classroom space and teaching aids.
It has been in the pipeline for some time now to make more classrooms available. Also, space for a computer lab, lunchroom, staff room and other curricula activities are critically needed.
Within the next year, we anticipate that the enrolment of the Restoration School will grow from its current level of 115 to 250 students. To support this increase in enrolment we will need to add additional classrooms for instruction, hire four new teachers, employ more administrative staff, expand our nutrition programme, and supply a greater number of students with uniforms and tuition assistance.
Also, we expect that the after-School Programme will jump from 68 to 150. This increase will mean that we will have to recruit more volunteers, provide additional transportation and meal stipends, and assist these students with tuition and purchasing books.
Over the years, we have observed that although many parents want to be more actively involved in their children’s educational development, most have limited literacy skills. They regularly request help with reading and other basic skills. The demand for these services is so overwhelming that we will need to add adult literacy classes for parents and other community residents in the coming school year.
Numerous requests have been received for skills training programmes and it is hoped to implement a silk screening project for the production of T-shirts, etc for export and sale to visiting tourists. With a recent donation of a small kiln, a sewing machine and silk screening apparatus, skills training will soon become a part of our curriculum.
Physical Improvements
Our ability to expand to meet the above-described needs will largely depend on the capacity of our physical space. The British High Commission previously has awarded considerable support for constructing Restoration Centre buildings. This assistance has helped provide much needed bathroom facilities, classroom space for students and offices for staff. A small kitchen/canteen and a tuck shop (sundry store) also are partially completed, but construction has been halted because funds have been exhausted.
The completion of the kitchen is critically needed because the room currently being used as a kitchen has been slated for a computer room. Recently, One River, a US company donated nine recycled computers to the Restoration School. This contribution will greatly enhance the quality of academic services that the School offers. However, there is currently no room space to accommodate them.
The completion of the tuck shop is also critically needed because it will help us to financially sustain our programmes.
The last phase of construction is an additional floor to our building. The additional floor will serve as a multi-purpose unit housing a cafeteria, an auditorium, and removable partitions for additional classrooms, and workshops for skills training. The auditorium will be a venue for performing arts instruction where children will be able to channel their creativity and natural abilities toward satisfying and meaningful achievements. On weekends, this area will be used for other community activities and events. Temporary overnight shelter for children in crisis will also be provided in this unit. It is hoped that the love, hope, encouragement and inspiration that these young people receive will profoundly affect their lives.
A proposal was recently submitted to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the construction of this additional floor and it is hoped that this Proposal will meet with favourable consideration.
The grant from the EFJ also includes funds for landscaping of the grounds and the paving of a multi-purpose courtyard to facilitate such sporting activities as netball, basketball, etc
Operation Restoration also is seeking funding to secure a van to help address the lack of adequate public transportation in Trench town. Many of the children utilizing our services have never been outside the area. The addition of a van will help Operation Restoration expand the outlook and horizons of its young people. Also, a van will enhance competition opportunities for Restoration School’s football and netball teams.
Strategic School Plan
Once our work plan and expansion outlined above are implemented, we believe that the basic components of our programme will be in place. Generally speaking, our vision for the next 3–5 years is to eliminate illiteracy in Trench Town Communities and to provide greater economic opportunities for young people.
Sustainability
Operation Restoration has been deeply involved in Trench Town since 1994 and we are here to stay. Our Programmes have grown considerably over the years and we are recognized throughout the island as an innovative model for helping disadvantaged youth to beat the odds. As word of our efforts spread both here and overseas, there is greater pressure to provide even more assistance. Meeting our financial obligations is at times difficult given the current economic situation in Jamaica. However, these circumstances make our work all the more urgent. Jamaicans at home and abroad as well as well-wishers from all walks of life continue to support our efforts. Those able to contribute financially do so and countless others give of themselves through volunteer and in-kind donations.
However, to ensure its sustainability, new sources of funding are being sought. These sources include corporate sponsorship to assist by providing donations of cash for the continued running of the school. This year, school fees were raised to J$5,000 annually but even at this minimal charge more than 40 percent who attend are unable to pay, and most make payments on such a piecemeal basis that very little is realized.
During the next several months, Operation Restoration plans to improve its fundraising efforts through a coordinated development campaign. This campaign will include greater outreach to Jamaican communities in the United States, Canada, and England. Additionally, we plan to work with companies in Jamaica to encourage them to provide tuition scholarships for needy students and volunteer assistance.
A Proposal was recently submitted to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture requesting that an exception be made to its policy of not supporting independent schools since we believe our contributions to the improvement of quality education in Jamaica warrants support from the Government. A request was made for assistance with a monthly subsidy to assist with the payment of salaries to our teaching staff and it is hoped that this Proposal will meet with favourable consideration.
Another source of income is also expected from the sales generated from the proposed variety store and tuck shop.