St Mark's Anglican Basic
February 2023
St Mark's Anglican Basic School, Irish Town - February 2023
Mission Stop #5 – St. Mark’s Anglican Basic School
(Learning in the Blue Mountains)
Our fifth stop on the Read Write Now mission took us into the heart of the Blue Mountains in rural St. Andrew. Through the support of community leader Michael Simms, we connected with St. Mark’s Anglican Basic School in Irish Town.
Nestled among the cool, scenic mountains, this cozy school had just eight Class 3 students. Principal Mrs. Johnson warmly welcomed us, and the intimate setting allowed us to focus closely on the children, especially a few boys who were most in need of literacy support.
The session came alive with the help of inspiring volunteers:
• Marieka Shaw – Miss Hanover Festival Queen 2022 spoke about responsibility.
• Rickie-Ann Witter sparked the children’s imagination with the simple idea of a bird, then introduced them to her imaginary friend Mr. Green Green. Heidi Hopeametsa, visiting from Sweden for cultural studies, was present and witnessed an unforgettable session.
• Sabbrena Marston introduced the students to sign language, guiding them through the alphabet.
• Sue-Tanya Mchorgh shared about her career as a content creator and brought joy through dance.
• Celine Walters inspired the children with her story of confidence as a model.
Though small in size, St. Mark’s Anglican Basic School left a big impression. The crisp mountain air, the beauty of the setting, and the joy of working with underserved students in rural Jamaica made the experience truly memorable.
Special thanks to Help Jamaica for funding this cycle and making it possible to bring literacy, creativity, and encouragement to children in even the most remote corners of our island.