North West St Catherine MP Damion Crawford launched the Solidarity Student Exchange Programme on Thursday (November 28), with placements for displaced students to officially begin on December 18.

The initiative is a major humanitarian and education response designed to support children affected by Hurricane Melissa, offering temporary home placement, stable schooling, mentorship, and structured guidance for up to 200 students whose homes and schools in the western parishes were severely damaged. 

The launch drew strong support from the Linstead Ministers’ Fraternal and Principals across Quality Education Circle (QEC) 53, who publicly committed their schools, churches, and community networks to the effort. Their collaboration signals that North West St Catherine’s is fully prepared to create a safe, structured, and compassionate environment for students in crisis. 

Pastors pledged to play a central role in the home-stay arrangements by recruiting and screening host families, providing ongoing pastoral oversight, and monitoring the well-being of each child. They also committed to supporting the emotional and spiritual adjustment of students uprooted by the hurricane. Reflecting on the importance of the church in this process, Member of Parliament Damion Crawford noted, 

“I want to emphasise my belief that the church is the most connected institution in this country. It remains a vital force in shaping a moral society in which God takes joy and pleasure.”

Principals from QEC 53 outlined their readiness to receive the displaced students. They confirmed that schools across the constituency are prepared to absorb students into classrooms, assign mentors, ensure smooth integration, maintain learning continuity, and uphold child-protection standards. Melbourne Thompson, Principal of Bermaddy Primary School, emphasised the school’s readiness: 

“At Bermaddy Primary School, because of the drop in the birth rate, we have the space and can accommodate up to 56 students. We are ready, and we have what it takes to care for any child who becomes part of us.” 

At McGrath High School, principal Claudine Panton reiterated that education must not be interrupted. “We are fully on board. We believe the business of education must continue, and our entire team is ready to support in whatever way we can,” she said. 

The programme received further reinforcement from Food for the Poor, which supplied desks, chairs, and hygiene care packages to prepare classrooms for incoming students. These contributions ensure that each child will enter a clean, properly equipped learning environment.

Pastor Colin Woodham of the Evangelical Church of Christ, Calvary Temple, praised the initiative and highlighted the fraternal’s longstanding support for education.

“We will be assisting, and we fully endorse this programme. The Fraternal has always played an integral role in education. Over the years we have supported students through scholarships and other initiatives, and we will continue to do so. Kudos to the MP for leading this effort.” 

MP Crawford underscored the constituency’s moral obligation to act. “North West St Catherine may not have faced the worst damage, but we have the capacity and the duty to stand with the children whose lives were upended,” he said. 

He explained that the programme rests on five pillars of stability: safe homes, consistent schooling, counselling and mentorship, nutritional support, and a protective structure for each child. “These supports are essential for preventing learning loss, ensuring safety, and restoring stability,” he added. “This programme reflects who we are, people who care, people who act, people who show up for each other. North West St Catherine is demonstrating what true care looks like. We are now ready to stand in the gap for Jamaica’s children.