FRUITFUL VALE, Portland :
THE JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPSCo) donated book vouchers valued at $347,000 to 47 children who suffered during the recent heavy rains in Portland and are now living in shelters at Fruitful Vale, Bloomfield and Shrewsbury in the parish.
The handing-over ceremony took place in the district of Fruitful Vale at the community centre which now houses 15 families including 17 children who lost their homes.
The light and power company gave $10,000 in book vouchers to 14 children who were attending high school, while $67,000 in book vouchers were given to 25 children at the primary level. Eight basic school children received $4,000 in book vouchers.
Customer service manager for the JPSCo office in Port Antonio, Robert Nelson said he was "pleased to be assisting the children who are now living in the shelters at Fruitful Vale, Shrewsbury and Bloomfield."
He donated book vouchers to the tune of $347,000 because the company he says, 'has interest in the students continuing their education as normally as possible despite their unfortunate circumstances". He also encouraged the children to extract as much as possible from the books provided, as these he said would guarantee them a start to a secure future.
Member of Parliament Errol Ennis thanked the Jamaica Public Service for their generous efforts in trying to restore the affected communities, more so, its interest in the educational well-being of the children who are in the shelters. He also stated that previously he had only known the JPSCo for its billing and extracting of fees but was "delighted to find that the company is now projecting a human face."
The children showed their appreciation for the book vouchers by rendering several cultural items which were well-received by the enthusiastic gathering.
Approximately 50 families were dislocated due to the heavy rains that drenched the parish.
