Amitabh Sharma, Features Coordinator

Students of the Gala Basic school share their play space with a stray dog. - Photo by Amitabh Sharma

On the road leading to Newland, Portmore, a brightly painted shack, adorned with Jamaica's national heroes, stands out. There is no sign of any activity, though the sign painted on the wall indicates that this structure houses a school.

Inside, around 30 children munch their snacks and sip juices under the watchful eyes of Dezerine Graham, principal, St Gala Basic School. "I started the school in 1980," said Graham, helping a student to open a juice bottle.

Realising a dream

Graham recalls when she set out to realise her dreams. She decided to start a basic school on the compound of the Evangelic Church where she was baptised. With the school in place, the next step was to attract students. She went door to door and spoke to the people, at the end of the day, 80 students had signed up.

It has been no cakewalk since. The school has been relocated seven times before settling at the present location. "It was rough, it was rough," said Graham, as her eyes wandered. The school premises, which was originally a rundown wooden structure, was a gift. "The Kiwanis Club built this centre," Graham said.

"This project came out of the discussions with the community," said Pauline Samuels, past president and member of The Kiwanis Club of South St Catherine. "This was the first of its kind project for us," she said.

"It is a quite small effort," said Samuels, who has been instrumental in helping Gala Basic School established in 1998. Ten years on, the school stands firm despite the challenges that come along.

Space to play

The school is surrounded by a dusty patch of land. People walk by the building and sometimes stray dogs find a spot to sit around. "We need a fence, urgently," said Graham. "I am praying ... praying hard that a miracle works out."

Graham said that she took out a loan which helps her at times to pay the staff and manage the day-to-day expenses. "I have to pay for the stationery and arrange for the afternoon meal for the children," she said.

Graham is assisted by her daughter, Natalia Gauntlet, and another teacher to manage the three sections.

The school day starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. The children are confined to their classes from Monday to Thursday. They go out to play once a week when they sing and dance around in a group.

"We let them out to play on Fridays," said Gauntlet, as she taught the children nursery rhymes. "It is very sad, but we need to be around to ensure they are safe."

"We cannot put any swings or other outdoor equipment here," said Gauntlet, pointing to the bare patch of land, "it would be mashed up."

Long road to travel

The roof of the school blew off during the hurricane last year. "It has been fixed," she said, "but still, there are gaps. It leaks when it rains."

"We need to put in more work," said Samuels, who also serves as the divisional secretary of Kiwanis International. "We are trying to put some money together to expand."

An additional restroom was constructed in 2004 by the club. "We had only one restroom for both boys and girls earlier," said Graham.

St Gala Basic School has 63 children on the roll, but on a given day, around 30 to 40 students attend school. The school is divided into three sections, for three-, four- and five-year-olds. The students go to preparatory schools after passing exams. "Our students have got admission in schools across Portmore," informed a proud Graham, sitting in her office, which is a table that serves as a divider between two classrooms.

There is a long road to travel still. "We are currently looking at plans to expand the school by adding another classroom and putting an office," said Samuels.

For Graham, despite the struggles and the roadblocks, it is her passion for work and fulfilling her dreams that gives her the strength to carry on. "I live a dream," Graham said, "the dream is to do something for the children who are future."

The Kiwanis Club of South St Catherine was formed 18 years ago; the club has been involved in various projects in Portmore and its environs. The club organisers sporting competitions, essay writing competitions, career symposiums, heroes day celebrations and teachers appreciation days.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Students of Gala Basic School, Portmore, in their classroom. - Photo by Amitabh Sharma

The club also organisers an annual Good Friday project at the Fort Augusta Prison, which has been ongoing since 1990. The club feeds Golden Agers once a month and distributes food packages to them in the New Lands community. The Kiwanis Club of South St Catherine can be contacted via their President Elaine Hutchinson at 342-9442 or email claudetthutchinson@yahoo.com. and Dorothy Brown at 377-9357 or email dorothyevelynbrown@yahoo.com

'Making a difference' is an initiative to highlight the work of service clubs and social organisations in Jamaica which are transforming communities across the country. We invite organisations which are working towards a cause to participate in this endeavour. Contact: 922-3400, ext 6377 or email: amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com.