An important part of the Food For The Poor school-improvement programme is the J$20 million 'Flush For Life' initiative. This falls under its Islandwide School Sanitation Project, launched in December 2006, in collaboration with the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation and other corporate donors.

Through the initiative, old, unsafe pit latrines are replaced by modern flush toilets and water pipes and tanks installed to help ensure children safety and promote proper hygiene. Since the project began, 33 modern bathroom facilities have been built in schools across Jamaica.

Among the schools outfitted with new toilet facilities are Mile Gully High in Manchester, Real Success Basic in Kingston, Cavaliers Basic in St Andrew, St Vincent Strawmbi Catholic High and Top Hill Primary in St Elizabeth, Huntley All-Age and Coley Mountain All-Age in Manchester, and the Old Pera Basic school in St Thomas.

The comments of Angela Campbell, a parent and Parent Teachers Association representative at Real Success Basic School, reflect the importance of the sanitation programme to the school's 60 students: "I used to worry about my son using the bathroom which had no running water, so students could not wash their hands and it was sometimes difficult to access water to flush the toilet. However, thanks to Food For The Poor and corporate Jamaica, I now feel more comfortable sending my child to school."

Better future

"Food For The Poor, with the help of corporate Jamaica, seeks to address in a practical way the lingering and pressing need of schools across Jamaica," said the charity's chief operating officer, Deacon Ron Burgess.

From basic schools to high schools, Food For The Poor is providing hope and a better future for Jamaica's children.

The charity organisation also provides food, shelter, medical care, educational materials, support for orphans and the aged, among other services, to the poor in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.