MANCHESTER:

Refurbishing work has been completed on three health centres, which received a total grant of CAN$10,000.00 ($6,945,891.51), from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The health centres - Newall Maternity Health Centre in St Elizabeth, Royal Flat and Bellefield Health centres in Manchester - were damaged by Hurricane Dean last August.

The National Health Fund (NHF) did an assessment and a priority list of facilities needing repair was created.

From this list, CIDA selected the three centres to receive their funding. The NHF administered the refurbishing of the three centres.

The repair work on the health centres, which was carried out under the supervision of the Southern Regional Health Authority, included repairs and replacement of roofing, installation of windows, electrical work, painting, tiling, plumbing, and the replacement of doors and grilles.

- Contributed

Building for St Peter's Basic School

The 20-25 pre-schoolers of the often hurricane-ravaged Portland Cottage community in Clarendon yesterday had much to be elated about after they received a brand new school building, inclusive of bathroom and kitchen, yesterday.

The facility, built at a cost of $1.8 million, was constructed in one day by a group of Food For the Poor's (FFP) United States of America-based donors.

The new school building has replaced a structure that was damaged by Hurricanes Ivan and Dean.

This time around, the new facility, though made from timber, was built to withstand a category four hurricane. In addition to its sturdiness, the building provides a safer and friendlier environment in which to learn. FFP will furnish and supply the facility with teaching aids.

- Contributed

Shaw urges reforestation

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON:

The need to have Jamaicans involved in the planting of trees to aid in reforestation is being echoed by Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, Audley Shaw.

Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for the Spaldings/Christiana Water Supply project at Alston in Clarendon, recently, Shaw expressed concern at the rate at which Jamaicans were involved in the cutting down of trees which, according to him, is having a negative effect on water catchment areas.

Shaw said that there was too much wanton destruction of trees and that each time one is cut down the nation's watersheds take a blow.

In short, Shaw called on the National Water Commission, the Water Resources Authority, the Forestry Department, the Urban Development Corporation and all government departments that own lands to aggressively take on programmes of reforestation.

The finance minister said trees need to be planted everywhere; not only on government's properties, but that seedlings must be offered to every Jamaican for them to plant in the various areas where they reside or work.

- George Henry

Smith praises Portland for low crime rate

National Security Minister Derrick Smith has lauded Portland for being one of the parishes that has recorded the least number of crimes islandwide.

Smith was speaking during a tour of police stations in the parish on Thursday and reminded officers not to get complacent.

The minister also announced that the Government would be launching a campaign to get more members of the private sector to assist the police financially.

While encouraged by what he had seen in some stations, Smith said there was need for improvements to the working conditions of the police in the parish.

The stations visited included Manchioneal, Castle, San San, the Port Antonio Police Station, Port Antonio Island Special Constabulary Force and Port Antonio Marine Police.

- Contributed

Manchester chamber assists police

MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER:

The criminal investigative arm of the Mandeville police got a boost on Wednesday when the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCOC) handed over a Toyota motor car to the unit to be used in its fight against crime.

The shortage of working motor vehicles has plagued the Manchester police for years, resulting in slower response to crime scenes and residents' calls for assistance.

President of the MCOC Winston Lawson, along with other members of the organisation, also used the occasion to officially hand over the upgraded investigative office of the Mandeville police.

The upgraded office, which houses the Criminal Investigation Branch of the Mandeville police received computers and other equipment essential to the lawmen's work.

- Angelo Laurence

Trying to make a difference

Can indiscipline in schools be stemmed, and how? This is the question that many schools, whether in the rural or urban areas, want answered.

Castleton Primary and Junior High in St Mary came up with a plan which has taken them closer to having more disciplined students.

Nestled on the bank of the Wag Water River, which meanders along the winding Junction Road in St Mary, their motto is 'Reach out and upwards' and it is their endeavour to try to live up to its charge.

As they do this, they are sometimes faced with many challenges, but are heavily blessed with good teacher-to-teacher relationships.

indiscipline

Recently, there had been signs of indiscipline creeping in among students, especially their boys.

The trend really bothered the staff and well-wishers, so they came together with plans to alleviate the problems they faced.

"We are aware that indiscipline can hinder learning so we have been trying to stem the problem using various strategies. These include the Character Building Intervention Pro-gramme, where we use the scout and the cub scout movements as motivation. We have also formed a boys' choir as a part of our extra-curricular activities. These activities are also used to build self-esteem, promote literacy and they have enhanced patriotism among our students," revealed Josephine Lynch, vice-principal.

strong support

The first investiture ceremony for the scouts was held on the school grounds recently with much fanfare and strong support from parents and community members.

Scouts are given their badges at an investiture ceremony.

As a result of the ceremony, a scout school movement has emerged and other students are being motivated to follow suit.

"If we can make a difference at school we are sure there will be role models in our society," said Lynch.

- Lisia Lynch