Westwood’s Enid Beale Home Economic Centre reopens after J$27m restoration

In a monumental effort to preserve the history of Westwood High School, in Trelawny, the institution’s Enid Beale Home Economic Centre, which was destroyed by fire, has been fully restored by the school’s old girls in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation, Coca Cola Latin America, Desnoes and Geddes Foundation, and Guardian Group Jamaica.

This significant project, at a cost of more than J$27 million (US$170,000), culminated last Friday with the grand reopening of the home economic centre at the historic Stewart Town-based all-girls school, which was founded in 1882.

Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation, praised the leadership of the Westwood Old Girl Association (WOGA) leadership for their passion and commitment in giving back to their school.

“To the young ladies who will benefit from this building, it’s for you. We hope you will utilise it to the best of your abilities,” said Clarke. “This building gives you hands-on experience, to build on a skill that you will use in many aspects of life, whether you become a chef in the hospitality industry or embark on a career in the fashion industry.”

“We know that these are two areas that we have to continue investing in and that you should take full advantage of,” added Clarke, in noting that the Sandals Foundation understands that gastronomy and fashion are two areas that are worth investing in.

Clarke also emphasised the importance of preserving Jamaica’s cultural heritage and the role of the building in empowering young women with practical skills in gastronomy and fashion.

“The Sandals Foundation believes that we have to preserve the culture of Jamaica and the rest of the islands we operate in. Far too often, our beautiful old buildings that hold so much history are knocked down and not preserved because they take so much money to maintain or rebuild if they have gone into disrepair,” continued Clarke.

She also saluted the WOGA for coming good for the school through their efforts to preserve the Enid Beale Home Economic Centre, which is a critical part of the history of the school, which is now part of the history of Jamaica.

Doreen Dietrich, immediate past president of WOGA, highlighted the extensive networking and financial contributions from WOGA members in Jamaica and the diaspora, which included WOGA New York and WOGA South Florida. He also hailed the Sandals Foundation, Desnoes and Geddes Foundation, Salamander Foundation, and Guardian Group Jamaics for their contribution.

“Ladies of Westwood, this is our gift to you. Please ensure the care, protection, and maintenance of the building and equipment so it benefits many generations to come,” Dietrich urged the current students.

Noting that Sandals Foundation was the WOGA project’s main sponsor, Dietrich said Sandals covered more than US$70,000 of the US$170,000 cost.

Albert Ferguson