Jamaica is a tropical island with a population of over 2.8 million. Unfortunately, due to poverty, school absenteeism has increased along with deteriorated literacy and numeracy rates, helping to further a cycle of unemployment and increased crime.

Outreach International runs programs in Jamaica focusing on children’s literacy in four schools in the communities of Chudleigh, Somerset, Holland Bamboo and Johnson Hill. Three of the four schools offer a pre-kindergarten program for over 120 students, giving them social, manual and literacy skills needed to enter primary school. These basics foster self-reliance and give them a better head start.

Helping children become literate and achieve a basic education has added to the general prosperity and development of the people. Future generations will be stronger and poverty will be overcome for many when children become educated participants of their communities.