HAYFIELD ACCESSIBILITY RAMP PROJECT

At Friends of Jamaica, we were proud to support initiatives that made a tangible difference in Jamaican communities. The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project exemplified that mission. Funded by generous contributions from supporters, this project provided Hayfield Primary and Infant School with an essential ramp that promoted accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges in Hayfield, Jamaica.

The idea for the ramp started in 2019, when Joel Matheson (now on the FOJ executive board) was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica. In collaboration with local teachers, they set out to improve access at the school. Plans were in place when, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide. The Peace Corps suspended operations in Jamaica, and Joel returned to the U.S., but he remained committed to seeing the project through.

In 2021, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated. Friends of Jamaica contributed to the campaign in early 2022 to give the project an added boost.

Throughout 2022, construction forged ahead, and the results were nothing short of inspiring. The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp stood as a 180-foot-long pathway complete with a retaining wall and safety fencing. It transformed access at the school and empowered students, parents, and teachers who previously faced barriers due to limited mobility.

This accomplishment was a great example of what could be achieved together. Support from FOJ members made projects like this possible.