Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller plants a tree on the grounds of Portia Simpson Basic School on Payne Avenue, yesterday. The project was the highlight of the Labour Day activities in Mrs. Simpson Miller's South West St. Andrew constituency. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE PORTIA Simpson Basic School, on Payne Avenue in St. Andrew, received a well-needed facelift as part of yesterday's islandwide Labour Day activities.
Scores of community members gathered at the school, repainted the building and planted grass on an open area located at the front of the school.
The project was the highlight of the Labour Day activities in Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's South West St. Andrew constituency.
Eugene Kelly, special assistant to the Prime Minister, said the school was the main focus of Labour Day activities in the constituency this year because of Mrs. Simpson Miller's insistence that priority be given to early childhood development.
Portia Simpson Basic School was built in the 1970s. It was refurbished under the Lift-Up Jamaica Project in 1999.
PLEASED WITH SUPPORT
Mrs. Simpson Miller, who visited the institution before she headed off to the country's main project in Falmouth, Trelawny, said she was pleased with the level of support the school was getting. She said it demonstrated that community spirit was still alive.
"We are seeing some lifting of the community spirit and that is what I want to ignite," she told journalists.
Mrs. Simpson Miller said she hoped that the spirit will not just be for Labour Day, but will continue throughout the year.
The Prime Minister reported that more people were involved in Labour Day activities in their communities this year.
"I think this all bodes well for our country. If we keep it up, great things can happen," Mrs. Simpson Miller said.
She told journalists that the attention being given to early childhood development was "marvellous", adding that children are very bright and all they need is an opportunity.
Meanwhile, Elaine McDermott, teacher at the school, told The Gleaner that she was happy that the institution was being refurbished. According to her, the well-deserving facelift would provide a better environment in which children could work and play.
