“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Labour Day was observed under the theme “Restore, Preserve, Beautify”. As the country observed a day like this, the Montego Bay Community College campuses, Montego Bay and Westmoreland, took on the initiative to engage in a day of restoration and beautification of the Frome Police Station.
Located in the parish of Westmoreland, the Frome Police Station houses 17 members of the constabulary force and functions under the tutelage of Woman Sergeant Arkling Facey. The members of the Frome Police Station execute their core duties to serve and protect the citizens in the surrounding communities; however, their station was in dire need of repairs in order for them to fulfil their core functions.
Energetic members of staff of the Montego Bay Community College, academic and auxiliary alike, adorned in white, red and blue shirts completed one of this year’s national projects, restoration of the Frome Police Station. The main area of focus was the kitchen. Members of staff worked tirelessly and relentlessly to repair the kitchen counter that was in a deplorable condition. They retiled the surface with ceramic tiles; renovated the kitchen cupboards; built a microwave shelf; as well as, changed the emaciated door of the kitchen. In addition, members of staff were eager to show their stylistic skills by manicuring the lawns of the station. Others painted the walls, both interior and exterior, with blue and white paint; changed light bulbs; and installed new dust to dawn lights.
Constable Randae Stephens, a member of the Frome Police Station, maintained that he is grateful for the kind gesture that the Montego Bay Community College campuses have executed at the station. “I am very grateful. The station needed a facelift, especially [in] the kitchen, seeing that it was in a deplorable condition. I am also grateful that the Montego Bay Community College [campuses] have taken the mantle to cause some changes to the facility and I want to say many thanks,” he remarked.
Dr Maureen Nelson, the acting principal of the Montego Bay Community College, classified the day a success. She reiterated, “We had a successful, gratifying, rewarding and fully accomplished day with some serious, hard work done by all categories of [the Montego Bay Community College] staff at the Frome Police Station. Believe me, we have transformed the Frome Police Station and they are truly grateful for the work that was done by us.”
Constable Stephens in his response stated that the Frome Police Station will remember and hold in high regard the contributions made by the college. He stated, “The air conditioning unit is fitting now, since the days are extremely hot, so we are indeed grateful for this.”
Dr Nelson extended gratitude to the following persons and/or organisations who assisted with the success of the day’s events: C & S Services and Supplies, Icon Imports and Distributors Ltd, Bullhead Water, Bioden Chemicals, Rotary Club of Savanna-la-mar, Negril Home Solutions, F.T.R Garments Ltd., United Finance Sales & Services, Books & More, Appliance Traders Limited, C&E Hotel Restaurant Supply, Bogue Wholesale, Dr Trevor Hacker – Discovery Dental, Power Plus Electrical & Plumbing Hardware, HEART Trust/NTA Granville and Mr Deon Morgan – TC Morgan Electrical Contractors.
The motto of the college, ‘The end crowns the work’, was apt to the success of Labour Day 2017. Likewise, the objectives of this project were in tandem with the objectives of the nation’s Labour Day, which includes “enhancing the dignity of labour day by improving the environment” and “encouraging the principle of solidarity; building and sharing.”
“Let’s celebrate the labour that builds up this great land. From field to field; desk to desk; they built in hand in hand!”
Kemorine Buchanan and Zaheer E. Clarke
Faculty Advisors
Press Club
Montego Bay Community College