The parish of Portland though blessed with beautiful beaches and a serene atmosphere, is also notorious for having water issues.

As part of its islandwide initiative to address water scarcity, Courts Ready Cash, donated a 1000-gallon propylene tank to Windsor Castle Primary and Infant School to facilitate hurdling over the water storage issues that impact the parish.

Absent from the handover ceremony were both Education Minister Fayval Williams and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz.

Speaking at the handover ceremony Principal Robert Watson expressed gratitude for the donation.

He said, “Water is indeed life and this time when the use of this vital commodity, and our daily practices have reduced its availability, the need to store and conserve it more apparent. Windsor Castle Primary and Infant School say thanks to Courts Ready Cash. We want to say thanks for this kind gesture. We are elated that you have decided to include us, and as such we are looking forward to a continued partnership…Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.”

In 2023, the Government announced a $3.9 billion initiative to upgrade the Grants Level Well to improve access to water set to break ground this fiscal year.

Speaking on behalf of the Education Minister, Tanya Sinclair, senior education officer said, “The ministry continues to solicit the support of corporate Jamaica to help us through public and private partnerships to provide the well-needed resources for us to make advancements in education. Courts Ready Cash has been generous in providing water storage tanks to our schools in need. We are grateful.”

Speaking on behalf of the Vaz, Miss Roulson, a teacher at Windsor Castle Primary and Infant School said, “I sincerely regret that I am unable to attend what I consider to be a most important occasion this morning. Let me wholeheartedly thank Courts [Ready Cash] for selecting Windsor Castle Primary and Infant School for its donation of one of the 1000-gallon water tanks being distributed by them to select primary and secondary schools in the drought-prone parishes.”

“Courts is a household name because of their various promotion to assist those who are looking for the best deals. Today, they are here as responsible corporate citizens under their [Courts] Ready Cash brand. As a Member of Parliament, I have to arrange the trucking of water to many affected communities during times of drought, which amounts to thousands of dollars… It is for this reason, on behalf of the school I express great appreciation… I look forward to future partnerships with Courts such as this and others.”

Marketing Officer Toni-Ann Latty emphasised the importance of partnerships between the private sector and government entities in addressing critical societal needs. 

She said, “Today we come as individuals united by a shared purpose for the betterment of our communities. As a responsible corporate citizen, we have been guided by the ethos of making a positive impact on the lives and communities we serve.”