At Friends of Jamaica, we are proud to support initiatives that make a tangible difference in Jamaican communities. The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project exemplifies that mission! Funded by generous contributions from supporters like you, this project has provided Hayfield Primary and Infant School with an essential ramp that promotes accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges in Hayfield, Jamaica.
The idea for the ramp started in 2019, when Joel Matheson (now on the FOJ executive board) was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica. In collaboration with the local teachers, they set out to improve access at the school. Plans were in place when, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide. The Peace Corps suspended operations in Jamaica, and Joel returned to the U.S., but he remained committed to seeing this project through.
In 2021, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated. The Friends of Jamaica contributed to the campaign in early 2022 to give the project an added boost.
Throughout 2022, construction forged ahead, and the results are nothing short of inspiring. The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp now stands as a 180-foot-long pathway complete with a retaining wall and safety fencing. It has transformed access at the school and empowered students, parents, and teachers who previously faced barriers due to limited mobility.
This accomplishment is a great example of what we can achieve together. It’s support from FOJ members that make projects like this possible.
Know a local Jamaican organization with a great project in need of funding? Please encourage them to reach out to us at Friends of Jamaica and apply for a grant opportunity.