Caribbean Cement Company Limited has donated $1.3 million in textbook support to schools affected by last year’s passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The beneficiaries include Success Primary and Infant in Hanover, Brompton Primary, and Black River High in St Elizabeth. Some of the textbooks are being provided for students preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Several additional schools are also slated to benefit from the company’s intervention.

Following a handover ceremony at the Black River High School on 12 February, Managing Director of the Rockfort-based cement company, Mr. Jorge Martinez, explained that the donation is aimed at alleviating the learning loss some students may have experienced.

“This donation will ensure that students remain on track academically despite the challenges brought on by the hurricane,” he said.

“We recognise that schools are central to community recovery, and ensuring students have the tools and environment needed to continue their education is critical. We remain committed to supporting affected communities through both immediate relief and longer-term rebuilding efforts,” Mr. Martinez continued.

Additionally, Carib Cement has earmarked cement for affected schools to support rebuilding and repair efforts. The company also donated a generator to Black River High School to support its administrative functions, ensuring continuity of office operations while electricity is being restored.

Meanwhile,Principal of Black River High, Mr. Christopher Romans, welcomed the donations, describing them as “extremely timely and demonstrative of the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility”.

Since the hurricane, Carib Cement has delivered relief packages to several severely affected communities, including Woodside in Clarendon, New River in St Elizabeth and Darliston in Westmoreland. The company has also facilitated a medical mission to the parish of Westmoreland.