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St Thomas community gets new multi-purpose centre

Published:Saturday | July 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Isaiah Rowe (left), one of the elders in the Rowlandsfield community and first president of the committee, greets Major General Robert Neish, executive director of the Digicel Foundation, as Member of Parliament Dr Fenton Ferguson looks on. - Photos Contributed
Some of the community members came out with goods to sell at the Digicel Community Day Out in Rowlandsfield, St Thomas. Here some little girls from the community purchase fruits from a vendor.
The Digicel plaque that was laid in commemoration of the handover of the Rowlandsfield Multipurpose Community Centre.
Janice Bailey (left), coordinator for the Rowlandsfield Stuffed Toy Project explains to Lisa Lewis, chairman of Digicel Foundation, the educational names affixed to each stuffed toy character.
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ROWLANDSFIELD, St Thomas:


Digicel Foundation handed over a Multi-purpose Community Centre to the Rowlandsfield community in St Thomas on Saturday, July 2 .

"We applied to the Digicel Foundation to assist with funds to renovate our community centre that was in disrepair and we are, today, overwhelmed and very happy that we are seeing this come to reality," commented Howard McLaughlin, president of the Rowlandsfield Community Development Committee Benevolent Society.

The community centre has been fully refurbished and equipped and transformed into a facility to assist with the community's two income-generating projects - a bag juice factory and a toy-making factory. The refurbished community centre will also facilitate the hosting of an early-childhood HEART training programme; an Internet and homework centre; meetings for the various community groups, as well as external groups such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Victim Support Unit, Parish Council and the Ministry of Health.

Member of Parliament for the area, Dr Fenton Ferguson, who was present at the handover noted that the project will provide direct employment for some 50 labourers and tradesmen from the community. This is in addition to 30 persons who will be employed to the bag juice and soft-toy facilities.

Community appreciative

In the meantime, Digicel Foundation's executive director, Major General Robert Neish, said: "The reaction from the community and the turnout for this afternoon's event is a testament to the commitment of the Rowlandsfield community members to improve their community through sustainable projects and the Digicel Foundation supports that wholeheartedly. So today we are very excited for the residents and we look forward to following up with the community to see how this well-needed community centre is assisting them in their efforts".

Another highlight of the day included the continuation of the Digicel Community Day Out series where the community members were treated to a host of fun-filled activities such as face-painting, ring games, six-a-side football, and domino tournaments, among other activities.