Three Montego Bay schools to benefit from visit of US-based organisation

Three schools in Montego Bay will benefit from a working visit by US-based The Links, Incorporated from January 24 - 28.

Carrying art supplies, technology equipment, oral health-care kits, and a mission to transform communities, a 120-member strong delegation from the friendship and service organisation of African-American women is heading to western Jamaica on what they say is a "four-day quest to build lasting partnerships that will enhance the health, welfare, and future of the island's schools and medical communities".

Mt Zion Primary School, Watford Hill Primary School, and St Mary's Preparatory School will benefit from their efforts.

The visit is The Links' second trip to Jamaica and part of a three-pronged Global Linkage Initiative slated for completion in 2018. The delegation is led by the organisation's president, Dr Glenda Newell-Harris.

"Our organisation's goal is to extend this partnership with our Jamaican colleagues and leave them with programming that is integrative, sustainable, and transformational," said Newell-Harris. "With their help, we hope to make a collective and long-term on-the-ground impact that will empower and invigorate Montego Bay, especially the educational and health-care communities."

During the trip, members will open a new library, deliver educational curricula, train teachers and parents, and provide computer tablets to students. Colgate Palmolive will offer dental education and will provide on-site dental care. They also will make available 2,000 free oral-health kits. Other sponsors include AARP and 3M.

An international not-for-profit corporation, The Links, Incorporated was established in 1946. The membership consists of nearly 14,000 professional women of colour in 283 chapters located in 41states as well as Washington, D.C., and The Bahamas. It is one of America's oldest and largest volunteer service organisations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

- Derrick Scott