Luxury coach bus to save Old Harbour Primary $1 million annually

The project was made possible through a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. The Lions Club International Foundation contributed the lion’s share of the funding with a generous donation of $11.5 million. Additional support came from the Jackson family, who donated over $1 million, and the school’s own fundraising initiatives, which raised more than $8 million. 

The commissioning ceremony celebrated the realization of a six-year vision, which faced delays due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. School principal George Goode expressed heartfelt gratitude to all contributors, emphasizing the long-term impact of the bus on the school community. 

“For many, many years to come, hundreds of thousands of children will benefit from this vision,” Goode said. He explained that the bus will enable the school to transport students and staff to extracurricular activities, field trips, and special events, which previously cost the school an average of one million Jamaican dollars annually. 

“It is your partnership. It is the little that you gave that has added up to this big deal today… and from a grateful heart, from a grateful school, we want to say thank you,” Goode added.

Custos of St. Catherine, Icylin Golding, hailed the acquisition as a “catalyst for change, a promise of punctuality, and a bridge to new experiences.” She highlighted the challenges many students face in securing reliable transportation to school and noted that the new bus will not only ensure timely arrival for classes but also open doors to enriching educational experiences outside the classroom.

“With this bus, our students will not only arrive on time for classes but will also embark on enriching field trips, exploring the wonders of the world beyond the classroom,” Golding said.

Sophia Forbes-Hall, Regional Director of Region 6 for the Ministry of Education, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the maintenance and operation of the bus. She praised the public-private partnership model that made the acquisition possible, describing it as Jamaica’s “best bet” for improving the quality of education.

“Without the private sector, without volunteers like you, my friends of the Lions Club, we are bound to doom. And so, I thank you so much for making education your priority,” Forbes-Hall said.

Elaine McMaster, former District Coordinator of the Lions Club International Foundation, shared that Old Harbour Primary’s application for funding underwent a rigorous vetting process. However, the school’s dedication and achievements stood out, making it a deserving recipient of the foundation’s support. 

“This is really a Godsend for the school,” McMaster said. “What really propelled us is when we saw the achievements of the school. That was very, very encouraging for us to want to be part of it.”

In a further show of support, Anthony Copeland, manager of Orient Coaches – the local dealer for King Long buses in Jamaica – announced that the first two service periods for the bus would be provided free of charge.

The new luxury coach bus represents more than just a mode of transportation for Old Harbour Primary; it symbolizes a brighter future for its students, offering them opportunities to learn, explore, and grow beyond the confines of the classroom. 

The collaborative effort behind this initiative underscores the power of community and partnership in driving positive change in education.