‘Glad that we are alive’

BELMONT, Westmoreland — One year after suffering extensive devastation during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, The Belmont Academy in Westmoreland has turned its trials into a triumph. The institution marked the anniversary of the Category 5 storm on Wednesday with a thanksgiving service that blended reflection with celebration, featuring a line-up of gospel and secular artistes. The event, dubbed “That We Are Alive”, drew stakeholders from across the island, including students, parents, educators, representatives of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), members of the past students’ association, the clergy, and prominent entertainers. Produced by Worrell King of Kings Promotion, the line-up featured performances by Prodigal Son, Jai Kingston, Roy Rayon, and renowned saxophonist Howard Messam, alongside student and teacher groups — all of whom donated their talents without charge. Behind the music and praise, the school had a remarkable story to impart about its recovery and forward-thinking innovation. While rebuilding its physical infrastructure and labs, the school seized the opportunity to leap ahead by implementing a massive renewable energy project which features more than 150 solar panels generating up to 80 kilowatts of power daily.

President of the JTA La Sonja Harrison speaking with the Jamaica Observer at Belmont Academy on Wednesday. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

According to the school’s leadership, entire blocks are already running independently of the national power grid, bringing the institution close to being totally energy independent — an extraordinary act believed to be the largest public school renewable energy project of its kind in Jamaica. Reflecting on the milestone, Principal Rayon Simpson shared insights into the journey with the Jamaica Observer. “As you know, today is the anniversary of the passage of Hurricane Melissa…we felt last year that it was so destructive that when we had the opportunity of living for another year, we felt that it was necessary and important to give thanks to God, to give thanks that we are alive, which is what we actually dubbed the event,” Simpson explained. He detailed how the disaster catalysed the school’s long-held green ambitions from seven years ago, which were brought to life through a $14.7 million investment supported by key partners, including the United Way of Jamaica, Teach Caribbean, and the Peter Tosh Foundation. “We wanted to come out of this hurricane better than we went into it. So a renewable project, for example, was not one that people just picked out of the sky and said we will support this. We had to actually defend why we wanted to have a renewable project. But having done it, they were excited. They really love it. And some of them have thanked us and promised to give us more. So we give God thanks for that,” said Simpson as declared that he is willing to share his knowledge with other institutions that want to implement a similar project.

Gospel artiste Prodigal Son entertains the massive crowd at Belmont Academy’s Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

President of the JTA La Sonja Harrison, who was supported by the Immediate Past President Mark Malabver, told the Observer that visiting the school was part of a broader solidarity mission across the western region to underscore the progress made and the ongoing struggle for educational spaces post-disaster. “In highlighting the conditions under which our students are expected to learn and our teachers to teach, we are indeed demanding ‘Reformation Now: Schools Jamaican Children Deserve’. The state of our schools remains concerning to us [and]it was a concern before Melissa. “Melissa made it worse in some places and spaces, and so we’re saying, ‘Jamaica, let us look at the education system that serves the future of the nation, and we must do something about it,’ ” said Harrison. Pleased with Belmont Academy’s spirit and commitment to giving thanks, Harrison pointed to the importance of the JTA joining in its anniversary service. “A few of us came by, again in solidarity with team Belmont Academy, who decided, which is so fittingly, one year after the passage of the hurricane...that they want to give thanks,” added Harrison. The JTA president also praised the school’s solar initiative as a practical model for rebuilding resilient educational institutions across Jamaica. “Oh, just tremendous; you know how far the school has come since the passage of the hurricane...And now when we look at Belmont today, one year later, how things have returned...it is a far better space than so many other schools…they are indeed rebuilding. My conference theme is ‘Reformation Now: Rebuilding a Resilient Education System’, and they are embodying that aspect of it...So when we look at their renewable project, we’re saying awesome job,” stated Harrison. She also used the opportunity to advocate for broader allocation of climate funds towards public education. “We have heard a lot of talk nationally about climate change and climate this, but we have not seen where the monies that are received — the donation funding and stuff that are received from climate resilience programmes and all of these things — how are a good portion of those funds being channelled to education so not only a Belmont will be resilient as it relates to renewable energy, but other schools, all schools. “Hence the theme, ‘Reformation Now: Schools Jamaican Children Deserve’, and it is all Jamaican children, we’re asking for that. We are demanding that all Jamaican children have access to quality education, good schools,” added Harrison.