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Trenchtown
Reading Centre
Kingston
12 Jamaica
The
Centre was closed for a time but since 2006 has continued to be
provide books, programs, and a welcoming place for reading, learning,
literacy,and studying.
Please
send books in boxes small enough to be sent directly through the
post office.
(Picking
up books from the airport is very problematic).
Trenchtown Reading Centre
Vin Lawrence Park
Kingston 12
Jamaica West Indies
•
Many thanks to Kent Lopez (Primitive Mind and friends) for continued
support of the Centre by continuing to send down books and promote
Bookraiser concerts...
•
Many thanks to the US Ambassador to Jamaica and the Office of
Public Affairs
•
Thanks to Chris Whyms- Stone, Gloria Palomino and American Friends
of Jamaica
• Thanks to Lynn Shelley for her generous book & donations
and enthusiasm!!
•
Many thanks to all of you who continue to show interest and support
and for all the books books and are supportive and encouragement......
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reading_centre@hotmail.com
After school fun
....
Keisha
Howell- Librarian Carl
Brown: Boys Town
Roslyn Ellison:Director: TRC /FTRC/
Face Jamaica Chairman:
Face Jamaica
Saturday
Morning
!
New Photos - scroll down !
FACE
Jamaica ~ Friends Advancing Community Education
My
friend and colleague, Carl 'coach' Brown, grew up in Trench Town
& lived there for many years. Despite moving out of the ghetto
and his many success's Carl has always been an active participant
in Boys Town and is constantly concerned and involved with the
people and issues affecting the area.
Carl and I shared similar hopes and concerns for Trench Town and
constantly brainstormed ideas and discussed how to deal with various
difficulties. Carl was a great help when I was struggling to get
the refurbishing done.
We created a mentoring program -
The Boys Town footballers, each with a young book buddy, go as
a group, once a week to the TRC to read together.
In August of 2006, we decided to officially join together to increase
the positive outcomes of our efforts and programs - we formed
a Jamaican non-profit NGO: FACE Jamaica !
Face
Jamaica: Friend Advancing Community Education;
is an NGO we created to co-ordinate, support, maintain, and develop
existing library and educational programs as well as to create
new initiatives in the future. The main focus at this time is
in Trench Town, West Kingston. FACE Jamaica is composed of people
living in the area and individuals with a long history of working
within the community. All are committed to facilitating a peaceful
and vibrant neighbourhood. Face Jamaica is dedicated to re-establishing
the Trenchtown Reading Centre (TRC) and Boys Town to once again
be the cornerstone for positive growth in the community.
Trenchtown Reading Centre
GOALS 2007
- continue
work to expand number of users
- continue adult
tutoring
-
continue mentor program with Boys Town Football club
- use
of Library by Boys Town All Age School - as part of curriculum
- build
book collection
-
upkeep & continue improvements on TRC
-
outfit inside of 'Community Classroom'
- liase with other area programs to increase delivery& effectiveness
of all
We
employ 1 full time job (single mother living in the area) and
some part-time work from local teachers, as well as several volunteers.
Fundraising for salaries is a challenge. Approximately $7000 US
annually.
'KIDS
CORNER' completed Feb. 2007
Librarian "Happy"
Boys
Town Basic school class
Painting-newly blocked off window.. shelves coming
Ahhh...done!
Junior Section New shelves & New books!
Boys
Town Football team and Book Buddies
MORE
PHOTOS ..... COMING ... STAY TUNED !
reading_centre@hotmail.com
2005-2007
In
July 2005 I returned to to Trench Town after an absence due to
caring for my ailing parents. The building and book collection
were in a bad state and, sadly, the Centre was not really in use.
I began necessary & major renovations; repairing & updating
the structure and repairing and restocking the book collection,
which had been depleted. With the help of the FTRC and Christopher
Whyms-Stone the work on the facility and book collection progressed
well. We put in an essential walkway leading directly to the Centre's
front door, grilled in the verandah, made tables, fixed lights,
blocked off a wall to create more space for books, new windows
and doors.....more shelves and most importantly created a 'kids
Corner.' When we were done I was reimbursed for a portion of the
refurbishing costs thanks to Gloria Palomino and the 'American
Friends of Jamaica.'
The
Centre was up and running again in early 2006. The librarian is
a local woman who had been a teenager helping me at the Centre
when it first opened in the old park building, December of 1993!
The book collection was growing but I did not have the funds to
complete the remaining updates.
The
American Ambassador, Brenda LaGrange Johnson and the Office of
Public Affairs have, since their visit to the Reading Centre in
May 2006, shown enthusiasm and support for the Reading Centre.
In
fall of 2006. We were awarded a grant. As a result we were able
to complete the much needed renovations; painting, more new shelving,
fans, bathrooms improved, utility sink added and 'Kids Corner'
extended. The book collection was refurbished and greatly expanded.
The effect this grant has had on the Centre's ability to provide
for our users, programs, and to build the collection has been
tremendous. The community and those of us at the Reading Centre
are very appreciative, not only for the grant, but also for the
spirit and understanding and encouragement we continue to receive
from the US Embassy.
Thanks
to Gloria Palomino applying a grant from the 'American Friends
of Jamaica' and the efforts of architect Chris Whyms-Stone, the
'Community Classroom' was constructed out of the adjacent uncompleted
building. Inside still needs to be outfitted with; lights, fans,
shelving, and seating.
 
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