A Letter From Rachael McDonald (A Friend of TrenchTown Reading Centre)
Dear Friends:
Earlier this year I was introduced to the TrenchTown Reading Centre, located on Lower First Street in TrenchTown. It is literally an oasis and functions as a community library, reading room and education centre. It remains, since it’s inception non-profit and there are no fees charged.
Recently the centre has faced many challenges; the most recent is that of closure. With electricity and water demands coupled with the escalating costs of supplies and materials the centre is struggling to remain open. The founder and director is a Canadian, Roslyn Ellison, who lives overseas and has done nearly everything almost completely out of her pocket. I admire her for not only falling in love with our country but for deciding to give and also maintain hope, care and resources that our Jamaican children are so badly in need of.
I now write to each of you with a small request. I ask that you think of ways in which you may help keep this beautiful centre up and running. Financial donations may not be necessary, but perhaps a pack of construction paper, paper towels, or even a gallon of bleach on a monthly basis.
It is true that we are all facing difficult economic challenges but as is written on the walls at TrenchTown Reading Centre “one one coco fill basket” and I still believe that regardless of political affiliation, if we all chip in and help in our own little ways then we give our children the best gift of all: hope. Please consider helping the TrenchTown Reading Centre.
For more information on the centre please visit the trenchtownreadingcentre.com, Facebook group or contact Roslyn Ellison:
reading_centre@hotmail.com
604-808-1907
876-570-4211
Your Sincerely,
Rachael McDonald
A Friend of TrenchTown Reading Centre
August 12th, 2011 at 1:47 am
Thanks for writing this. I hope that the Centre is spared…and that others like it can be opened. I’ll definitely be contributing whatever I can.
August 12th, 2011 at 1:47 am
Correction: not can be opened but ARE opened.
October 22nd, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Thank you Rachael..and thank you to those who have helped with supplies for our fall session. We have had help along the way from many different individuals & some business and The US Embassy. This past year has seen most of that diminsh. We have just lost our base funding of $5,000 US annually..1/4 of our budget ( including our Summer School) due to a global bank reorganization that did not include our donour.
Aside from funds there are 2 specific things we are in need of.
A fan to hang on the wall in the tutorial rm and a garden hose.
Tempura Paint in 16oz bottles.. white black red blue yellow purple green.
And always coloured paper & large ponal glue.
We received a wonderful donation of art supplies including lots of scissors!
We invite you to visit the Centre.. come and meet the staff and children. Feel free to read them a story or do some activity with them if you wish.. or just have a look around.
Exposing youth & adults to the wider world through tour extensive book collection, Literacy, Self-esteem & confidence, Skill building, varied experiences and integration is what we focus on…combating Marginalization & Illiteracy… to improve the possibilities for individuals, families, community & country
INSPIRATIONS WELCOME..