THE Anglican Central Education Authority (ACEA) has launched “Together We Make the Difference”, a relief fund to help cover the cost of repairs, replacement of lost school supplies and ensuring minimal interruptions during the academic year after the damage from Hurricane Matthew last month. It aims to raise $50,000 by the end of the year.

The ACEA schools, including St. John’s College, St. Anne’s School, Bishop Michael Eldon School and St. Andrew’s Anglican School, were not left unscathed by Matthew, sustaining property damage and loss of equipment and supplies. Despite the challenges, all of the ACEA schools reopened by October 17 - 11 days after the category storm had passed - and the organisation says it remains committed to “keeping our doors open and providing the best education in safe, well-resourced environments for our students”.

At St. John’s College, gutters, drains and ceiling tiles need to be replaced. Most primary school classrooms sustained water damage, and work has already begun toward restoration. The roof of a sixth grade classroom and a broken water line have been repaired, but roof damage caused by a fallen tree needs to be addressed urgently.

St. Anne’s School needs a new perimeter fence and roof repairs in several areas, including the science laboratory. Repairs are ongoing on Bishop Michael Eldon School, Freeport, which needs 400 bundles of shingles to complete roof work. To continue operating the primary department office, a generator needs to be purchased. Minor repairs are needed at St Andrew’s Anglian School, where there are leaks in the administration block and some classrooms.

To facilitate this hurricane relief campaign, the ACEA has introduced Plug’n Pay, a feature on its website www.aceaschools.org which makes it easy for the public to contribute to hurricane relief efforts. Donors have the option to direct their contributions to the school of their choice, or simply contribute to the hurricane relief fund.

“We encourage parents, alumni and the general public to invest our children’s education by supporting the ACEA in rebuilding our schools,” the ACEA said. The organisation said donations can be made through the website using a credit card, via a cheque to the Anglican Diocese office in Addington House, East Street and Sands Road, or by mail to PO Box N 656.

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