Jahaila Harley
My time spent at the Institute of Jamaica Junior Centre was wonderful. I enjoyed being there and I looked forward to going there every evening after school “rain or shine”. I started at the Half Way Tree Junior Centre in summer 2005 when one of my mom’s friends told her about it. On the first day that I went to summer school, I joined the art class, which is my favourite until now. I got involved in all the activities such as drumming, dancing, sign language, music, needle craft, and storytelling, which were also offered in the after school programme. These were all fun and exciting, and I have pleasant memories. While in the after school programme, my fellow school mates and I went on trips to different places. We entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) drama, music, dancing and speech competitions. The Half Way Tree Junior Centre…
Tashana Blair
Confidently aspiring I am Tashana Angelete Blair, a studious, talented, intelligent, adventurous, determined thirteen (13) year old who attends Campion College. I am an aspiring business woman who has great interest in photography, enjoys reading motivational novels, singing, browsing the internet and socializing. My philosophy states ‘never limit your challenges but always challenge your limits.’ Whether it was deciding which novel to check out from the library or trying to get the right pronunciation of a word in Speech and Drama or even just trying to get to reading classes on time, the Institute of Jamaica’s Junior Centre was always a challenge in some way or the other. The Junior Centre’s library played an important role in developing my love for reading. At the age of eight (8) years Ms. Kelly, the Centre’s librarian at the time, introduced me to my first Nancy Drew novel, ‘The clue in the old…
Javaughn Williams
The next Van Goh? Javaughn Williams, 11 years old, is a testament to the Centre’s motto of ‘unlocking potential…transforming lives’. He started attending the Greater Portmore Junior Centre approximately two years ago, and according to his grandparents, has shown an improvement in his school work, in his behaviour and in his socializing ability. Javaughn is a special education student, who is also said to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prior to coming to the Centre, he was more reserved than he is now, and has settled down a bit. He has made new friends, and is fully involved in his Art, Craft, Sign Language, Reading, and Papermaking classes. His grandfather, Mr. Williams, notes that he is “more interested in his books and wants to learn”. His grandmother, Mrs. Joylyn Williams, is amazed at what he has retained as he teaches her some of what he has learnt in Sign…
Alessandra Abel
My Experience at the Junior Centre I attended the Half-Way-Tree Junior Centre for approximately two years, and would have to say that I enjoyed my time spent there I was Child of the Year for 2008. The programmes they have for the children include: dancing, music, sign language, art, needle crafts, reading and a heritage class. My favourite was art. The teachers were absolutely great. They tried to make the class seem fun even when you think you are not going to like it. My experience there was a mix of many emotions. I, personally, am a shy person, so it was hard for me at first to make any friends. Sometimes I did not even feel like going, but I went anyway and had a great time at that. One thing that going to the Junior Centre has taught me was friendship. The friends I met there were…