Directors and staff of the CHASE Fund visited the Dupont Primary and Infant School and St Anne’s Infant School, both in Kingston to read to students and donate books in observance of Read Across Jamaica Day (RAJD) on May 6, 2025.
All the books used on the day, as well as those donated to the schools, were written by Jamaican authors including the popular “Jamaica in My Tummy” by Jean Hawthorn-DaCosta, who joined the CHASE Team to read to students from her book about a Jamaican girl’s gastronomic journey across the island.
“Reading is a cornerstone of education and empowerment,” said Latoya Aquart-Foster, Project Manager the CHASE Fund. “By participating in Read Across Jamaica Day, we hope to motivate children to read more from an early age. Each book they pick up is a chance to meet new characters, explore different cultures, and experience thrilling stories that can inspire them in countless ways,” she said.
The RAJD initiative aligns with the CHASE Fund’s broader mission to support educational projects, literacy programmes, and community activities that enhance learning outcomes across Jamaica for students at the early childhood education level.
In addition to the donation of books to the Jamaica Library Service and schools, the CHASE Fund has been supporting literacy programmes that specifically target early childhood students. One of these programmes, Read Right from the Start (RRFTS), was implemented in partnership with the United Way of Jamaica. The RRFTS professional learning model provided teachers with the support and resources needed to help students bridge the language and literacy gap commonly present in early learners.
The CHASE Fund has also given funding support to the Lindamood Bell Learning Process workshops administered by Creative Language-Based Learning. Workshops and seminars have facilitated presentations on learning methodology aimed at identifying children with language, spelling and comprehension challenges and provided learning techniques and solutions using concept imagery, sound and speech to improve language comprehension and thinking.
W. Billy Heaven, CEO of the CHASE Fund, noted that some of the CHASE Funded programmes have been aimed at special needs students. One such project was the Early Childhood Development Legacy Project, spearheaded by the Early Childhood Commission and implemented at the Savanna-la- Mar Inclusive Infant Academy which has been a model for public and private partnership, providing early childhood education services to children with special needs in Westmoreland.
“Ensuring the literacy achievement of students with special needs is a fundamental component of providing equitable and inclusive education. These students often face unique challenges that can hinder their access to and progress in literacy skills, which are essential for academic success, social integration, and lifelong learning. By prioritizing targeted interventions, differentiated instruction, and supportive resources, educators can create an environment where all students, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills,” Heaven said.
Under its Education portfolio, the CHASE Fund focuses on building infant schools and resource centres; equipping and upgrading early childhood institutions; health screening and providing scholarships for specialist training in Early Childhood Education.
