Donovan Bailey builds school with Helping Hands JA

Hall of Fame track and field legend, Donovan Bailey and the Donovan Bailey Foundation (DBF), have partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Food For The Poor to service critical education needs in Jamaica.

Together these organisations, along with 25 enthusiastic volunteers, are building Pedro Plains Infant School in St Elizabeth for the 60 pre-school children, who will subsequently have access to free education.

The new building is on the site of Pedro Plains Primary School - that will ease the transition from infant to primary school. Currently, 40 students attend the school and the new building will accommodate up to 60 students.

Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation has built 12 schools in partnership with Food For The Poor over the past six years.

Karl Hale, the founder of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, is thrilled to be partnering with Donovan Bailey.

AN EXPERIENCE

"Donovan is a global icon and is always gracious with his time. The school that we build will impact children for generations to come. It's the 20th anniversary of Donovan's Olympic gold medals and Helping Hands volunteers are excited to be part of another school build," said Hale.

Bailey said: "What an experience; we are a few days into the DBF building with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and I am amazed at what these volunteers and local contractors have accomplished. This will be the first of many schools that we partner on."

Aside from Bailey's involvement in athletics, he has also committed himself to multiple charitable work and has been involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada, Kidsports Ontario, Prostate Cancer (UK, Canada), as well as Alzheimer's Society (UK, Canada) and Nine Miles of Smiles, amongst others.

In 2002, Bailey founded DBF, an organisation committed to the advancement and financial assistance of Canada's talented amateur athletes. For more information please visit: www.donovanbailey.com.