- Bushy Park United Church in Ramble, St Thomas, set up a homework centre
- The centre can serve up to 50 students with computers and printing
- VM Group donated $100,000 in supplies and a year of internet
- Church leaders said grades were improving
During the pandemic, a rural church in St Thomas turned part of its property into a place for children to learn. The Jamaica Observer reported in October 2021 that Bushy Park United Church in Ramble had set up a homework centre serving up to 50 students.
The centre gives students computer access for online classes, homework, printing and research. Between 10 and 20 children attended daily for virtual classes, while others used it for printing and research.
VM Group donated $100,000 for back-to-school supplies, including books and tablets, and agreed to cover the church’s internet bill for 12 months. “We are happy to be giving back in this way and are really excited about the work this church is doing,” said Clover Moore of VM Group.
Elder and youth leader Carlos Shepherd said: “We are doing this because we want persons to understand that it doesn’t matter your financial status, you should have access to education.” He added: “We see the grades are starting to improve and the children are attending more classes online.” Church elder Julieta Grant also supported the initiative.
Church buildings in rural Jamaica can be among the best-connected spaces in a district, and using them during the week gives them far more value than Sunday use alone. The Bushy Park example shows how modest investment in internet and equipment can turn a church into a learning hub. For diaspora members looking for a practical way to support their home church, funding connectivity, computers and security for a church hall can benefit a whole community.
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