We visited Guava Ridge Basic School high in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The school started in the 1960's as community center. There are approximately 40 students in 3 classes from age 3 to 6 years old. The school draws students from a 12 mile radius in the very remote and mountainous Guava Ridge area. The school receives a subsidy for nutrition as meals are provided for the students, and the principal receives a small subsidy. There are two other assistant teachers. Almost all of the funds to operate the school come from fundraisers and donations as most of the parents cannot afford to pay the school fees.
Our coffee roaster and another foreign importer have also been providing financial support. The children have no other options for education so we too have decided to support the school. Commencing January 1, 2018 we will be donating 2.5 % of all of our sales of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee to support the school our first disbursement to the school will be at the end of 2018. If you would like to make a donation please contact us as we would be happy to assist. Our Roaster in Jamaica will be matching our donation so 5% of all Canadian sales of Ridgelyne Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee will help support the school! UPDATE!!! Generous donations by our kind customers and by us and our Roaster in Jamaica have now provided hot, home made on site school lunches for all of the children for the first quarter of this year. Our goal is to provide the same lunches for the rest of the year. Please consider a small donation. Almost half of the children at the school are wards of the State from a nearby State care home. Our goal is to provide all of the children with an education. It was discussed and agreed by all parties that our next big goal will be to build a new school for the community.
