Bethel Basic School crumbling, artistes volunteer to raise funds

The structure of the Bethel Basic School in Windsor Heights, St Ann, is in need of urgent repairs as several cracks have developed in the building over the past few months.

With the urging of principal Debra Reid-Brown, several artistes, mostly from St Ann, have volunteered to perform for free on a November 3 Fish Fry and Fun Day on the school grounds, to raise funds to fix the building.

While the safety of the staff and children attending the institution is not being compromised at this time, Reid-Brown says if the matter is not dealt with now it could lead to further deterioration of the structure.

The school has been in existence for 17 years but the current structure is 10 years old.

There are 42 children enrolled at the school, with the principal, three teachers and a cook making up the staff complement.

In recent years, the school has benefited greatly from assistance from the United Kingdom-based Springs of Hope and also from Direct Abundance out of Canada.

Since the planning for the fun day started, the school's parent-teacher association along with BookMax Ltd, a St Ann-based chain of bookstores, have assisted the cause.

And, while thanking the entertainers for their commitment, Reid-Brown is appealing for assistance from other sources as she seeks to ensure a future for the school.

So far, artistes who have committed include Punisha, Grampa Entatain, Jimbolee, Collie Weed, Kengene, Squeeze I, Graff Man, Ras Irie, DJ Cruz, Rim 9, Narrow Banton, among others.

The Fun Day and Fish Fry will also feature bounce-about and pool for the kids, along with six-a-side football competition and other attractions.

All proceeds from the event go towards the school.