National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ) has shown its commitment to the local communities by undertaking two Labour Day beautification projects for early childhood institutions in Lionel Town, Clarendon and Clark’s Town, Trelawny, where its factories are located. 

The projects included gardening, painting, deep cleaning, and the handover of toiletries to the schools.

NRJ, which was incorporated in 1980, is a rum-producing and exporting company. NRJ’s factories are Clarendon Distillers Limited and Long Pond Distillers Limited.

According to the principals of the St Margaret Mary Basic And Prep School, Andrea Cooke, and Clark’s Town Primary School, David Taylor, respectively, the contributions of NRJ have made a significant difference in the appearance and functionality of the schools. 

Cooke said, “The learning environment is very important and we would like to express our sincere thanks to NRJ for their efforts in enhancing the facilities of our school and making it an even better place for our little ones.”

Meanwhile, Taylor indicated that NRJ has been a longtime supporter of Clark’s Town Primary School. 

“The history is as long as the sugar factory and the community, the entire area is a part of what used to be the cane belt so occasionally NRJ will assist us with any needs. A clean environment will definitely make a difference and we are grateful for all the help we have received. We want the collaboration between us and NRJ to continue,” he explained. 

He added that they also planted more than 200 new fruits and vegetables seedlings for the school’s farm, in line with this year’s Labour Day theme –  ‘Plant a Tree for Life – Promoting Climate Change Mitigation, Food Security and Road Safety’. 

The CEO of NRJ, Martha Miller further said, “As a company, we recognise the importance of giving back to the communities where we operate. We are committed to supporting the education of our youth and are proud to be able to contribute to the beautification of these institutions. We believe that every child deserves a safe, clean, and comfortable learning environment, and we are honoured to be a part of that effort”.

The beautification projects are just one example of NRJ’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, but ultimately, its commitment to promoting the well-being of all Jamaican citizens goes beyond that.

The National Rums of Jamaica Foundation, the philanthropic arm of NRJ, was incorporated as a means to advance community development through education, healthcare, and infrastructural development. 

Joseph Robinson, Head of Human Resource and Administration at NRJ, said, “We believe that by investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, we can help to create a better future for all Jamaicans. The Foundation is our way of making a meaningful contribution to the development of our communities and the nation as a whole”.

Through the foundation, NRJ aims to create positive, long-lasting change in local communities and for the people of Jamaica. The Foundation is expected to be launched in 2023.