Enhancing a rural community - Women created day-care centre

St Catherine residents Patricia Williams and Staceyann Williams (no relation) were raised in rural Jamaica and saw the need to develop the community in which they live by providing day-care service.

The women have opened a day-care centre in Magazine Lane, Bog Walk.

When The Gleaner recently visited the community, the labour of love was in operation and the owners beamed with pride.

"We grew up here in Bog Walk and always wanted to help and to build our community, but it takes time. We recently decided that a day-care centre would be the ideal project for the community," Staceyann Williams disclosed.

"Having worked at the University of Technology, and needing a place to leave my child, it was indeed something special to start this service," Patricia related.

Both women said that in addition to offering various services, the day-care centre also helps to uplift the community and honours the names of their mothers. "Phyllis and Rose were the names of our mothers who were like matriarchs in this community, so, the day-care centre is named to honour them," Staceyann said.

"This is a great service for me personally as I work in Kingston, and taking my child with me on public transport is a difficult task. This service is really convenient. I just drop her off in the mornings and pick her up in the evenings. It's well-timed," Mitchell Creamy said.

THE FACILITIES

The centre has a library, play area, nursery, dining area, bathroom facilities, and a recreation room.

"We know that people have to work in the Corporate Area and elsewhere, so we are open from 5 a.m daily. We will bathe, feed, and educate the little ones and if you cannot return, then we can house them," Nurse Nassophia Harvey said.

"We have trained caregivers here; from nurse and cook to the teaching facilitator. Plus, we have a good administration. We cater to the needs of infants from six weeks to three years old in a child-friendly environment," Patricia said.

Many residents have endorsed the new venture, describing it as a perfect fit for the community.

"There are already a market, clinic, post office, police station, and schools here, so this day-care centre is a great addition to the needs of the community, and it is centrally located," resident Peter Abrahams stated.