Several school items were presented to the Fruitful Vale community in Portland by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most. Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a function to honour him and Lady Allen, at the Fruitful Vale All-Age School, on August 4.
The items, including computers, text books, school bags, exercise books, desks, chairs and pencils, will be distributed to various schools in the community for use at the beginning of the new academic year in September.
These items were obtained through representations by the Governor-General to a number of government and private sector companies. The Governor-General hails from the community of Fruitful Vale.
Making the presentation, the Governor-General said he had undertaken the initiative because of the critical role being played by education in the development of the lives of ordinary Jamaicans. He said he was very interested in seeing the young people of the country focus on acquiring a good education, as it is very pivotal in their future.
He urged the young people of the area to make a special effort to embrace the right values and attitudes to make them responsible and independent adults, and appealed to the members of the Fruitful Vale community to combine their efforts with those of other well-thinking Jamaicans to build the country, and rid it of the negative influences.
The Governor-General appealed to members of the Fruitful Vale community to support the ‘I believe in Jamaica’ campaign he initiated since taking office, adding that the Jamaican people have the capacity to correct the ills affecting the country.