In November 2004 just 6 weeks after Hurricane Ivan had unleashed his fury on Negril and the west coast of Jamaica we visited Torrington Early Childhood Development Center in Westmoreland Parish.

When we arrived at the school half of it's roof lay on the ground, having been destroyed by the hurricane. Their resource center had extensive  water damage and they were trying to salvage what ever they could, books lay on tarps in the afternoon sun in hopes they might dry out and be useable again.

Yet amidst all this they still had 108 students in class in the remaining useable portion of the school. Though the temperature was near 100 inside, the children were all well behaved and spoke the most beautiful English. They were excited to have visitors and sang us songs about life in Jamaica. We had only brought basic supplies with us this trip but the teachers were delighted, we also brought along treats for the kids which they really enjoyed.

After spending just a couple of hours with them, we began to realize just how much help they really needed. The swing set had no swings, the fence that separated the school yard from the busy street was all but gone. The stove in the kitchen had only 1 operable burner and the kids were having chicken broth with a few vegetables and a couple of dumplings for lunch, for many their only meal for the day. Yet in spite of it all they seemed so happy.

As it turned out it was the highlight of our trip. Leaving the school that afternoon listening to Bob Marley's "Comin' in from the cold" a burning desire to do more for these children began to grow. And for the next 2 years while saving the money to return, we just couldn't get them out of our minds. We told everyone who would listen some probably more than once of our experience, and how it had affected us.

Paula Braithwaite and students

Crowded classroom

Volunteer making dumplings and chicken broth

The swing set ?