VIDEO: Prayers for Nightingale Grove Basic School

The day after, the institution reopened its doors for the new academic school year, five years after falling into disorder.

During the service, based on the Gospel of Mark chapter 9 versus 33-37, Rev Williams called on residents and stakeholder groups in attendance to take a more conscious approach to protect and harness the life of our children.

“We have to get back to that community vibe… and that’s what Jesus wants. You bless the child and the blessings runs all the way up to God and then it will come all the way back down to us. Let’s take care of our children because God is looking out for this. But the flip side is true: if you stand against the child, God stands against you.

“And I just want to commend an initiative like this that says ‘we have to look about our children’.

“I am grateful to God for what is happening now. This is progress. This is blessings. This has the blessings of God and I just want to encourage those who have started this… you keep it going, because know this that God is in this with you,” said Rev Williams who spent a large chunk of his youthful years growing up in the community.

The closure of the kindergarten institution had a negative impact on the community as parents had to register their children at neighbouring schools. As one of the oldest of its kind within the Bushy Park district of communities, dating back to the late 1970s, its reopening is widely celebrated by those at home and in the diaspora.

Weeks prior to its reopening, former resident Denneth Bartley and her son Hakeem Plummer – both residing in New York, donated school supplies to the school with the Dr Kurt Waul Foundation playing a role having the items cleared to enter the country.

Dr Waul, who was unavoidably absent for the dedication service, gave his commitment and that he will forever remain a “friend” to the school and community.

“Dr Kurt Waul and his foundation are committed to education, community rebuilding and maintenance and I am very happy I could have been of help in this venture.

“To the community of Gutters and Nightingale Grove, be reassured that you have a friend in Dr Kurt Waul and his foundation for years to come, as long as I am able, I will contribute to your causes because I believe that the children are our future and that good communities like yours should be assisted,” he said in a message read by Welton Codner on his behalf.

Senior officer at the Social Development Commission (SDC) Monica Douglas Gardener who has responsibility for the Old Harbour zone, lauded the team for their efforts, while noting that the state agency is always available to play its role to assist in taking the institution to the next level.

The reopening of the Nightingale Grove Basic School was largely due to the efforts of reformed Nightingale Grove Citizen Association now spearheaded by counselling psychologist Jerine Singh along with other community members and stakeholder groups.

Former primary school teacher, Flo Nelson has been appointed to serve as principal, with former businesswoman and resident Paulette Chatrie selected as the chairperson in charge of the school’s Board of Governors.