Hundreds Benefit from Church Evening Classes

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Hundreds of residents of the Kitson Town community in St. Catherine have benefited from evening classes organized by the Kitson Town District of Seventh-day Adventist Churches. The programme, which has been ongoing for the past two years on the grounds of the church, started in 2010 as part of the church’s outreach to the community after an internal needs analysis. Classes are held Mondays to Thursdays, between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. catering to various age groups, including high school dropouts and adults. The classes are taught by members of the Adventist Church, who volunteer their time and expertise in the various subject areas.

“The programme is not only organized to help members of the community academically, but also to assist the Church in her mission of leading individuals into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ”, said Pastor Damion Chambers, pastor of the Kitson Town District of Churches. “Devotional exercises are conducted before each class and provisions are made for students to receive Bible study and counseling based on expressed desire and request.”

Colleymore Brown, a volunteer mathematics teacher involved in the Kitson Town District of Adventist Churches evening classes, explaining to two of the students a principle he shared in class. [photo: Garry Witter]

He continued, “I wish to register my thanks to the teachers who volunteer to assist the students, not only in teaching the classes, but providing motivation and counseling throughout the years.”

The programme is currently supported by twelve volunteer teachers. During the 2011/2012 school year over 200 persons were registered for it including persons for Remedial Reading. Of that amount 77 sat the CXC examinations with passes in Mathematics, English Language A, Human and Social Biology, Principles of Accounts, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration. These passes include 5 distinctions, 18 credits and 42 passes. Some of the students from the programme have had passes in five subjects—enough to matriculate in a tertiary institution of their choice.

One such student is Debbie-Ann Burte, who is now contemplating pursuing undergraduate studies in nursing.

“Over the past two years I attended the programme, which has been a success for me,” Burte stated. “Those of us who did not finish school got a chance to do so and we appreciate it. I want to thank Pastor Chambers and his team for making sure we were well taken care of during the time.”

Currently, registration for the 2012-2013 school year has exceeded 100 including returning students.

10 September 2012, Spanish Town, Jamaica

Charles Bulgin/CJC