Twenty years is a good, long time. Through trials and tribulations, joy and success, the Trench Town Reading Centre has soldiered on through two interrupted decades. Twenty years of educating the children of Trench Town – and that’s education in the broadest sense of the word. Planting trees, creating art of all kinds, playing drums, spelling bees, listening and learning. During the summer program, the Centre is humming with activity.
Most importantly, the Trench Town Reading Centre has brought the fascination and love of reading to the children. Just watch them when a new book arrives. They cluster round it, turning the pages slowly and carefully, studying the illustrations. A book is a discovery, a small treasure.
So now, the Centre celebrates (with the kind sponsorship of the Scotiabank Foundation, who are steady supporters). Drop by on Saturday, November 23 between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. for music, poetry, performances and sheer enjoyment with the kids. They love visitors, and if you want to bring a book or something to read or perform… They are the greatest audience!
- Take a look at the videos on YouTube. Here is the latest from Summer 2013 – it will make you almost feel you are there! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ggQQAYYo18&feature=youtu.be
- The website gives you a history of the Reading Centre from its early days up to 2010. Lots to explore here: http://www.trenchtownreadingcentre.com You can also make donations on the website…greatly received and carefully used!
- The Facebook group (Friends of Trench Town Reading Centre) is the only official Facebook page in English and is updated very regularly with photos and news, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trenchtownreadingcentre/
For more details, call (876) 570-4211 or email: reading_centre@hotmail.com.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Petchary's Blog 
Reblogged this on Christobol Marist and commented:
Trench Town Rock.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Spirit In Action and commented:
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it. I love seeing people turning things around to the good and helping others overcome the difficulties caused by colonization and poverty. Happy creative, reading children are the best sign of our better future:-)
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the reblog! It is amazing how you can awaken the creativity in children. And the imagination – that is what books opened up for me as a child!
LikeLike
My mom, and aunts went to school in Trench Town. I have always heard of how the violence often interrupted education in the area, I which these young mind the very best in their lives and continued success with the program. I hope to know Trench Town one day.
LikeLike
Really? Yes, there have been some serious episodes of violence throughout the Reading Centre’s history – the usually politically-affiliated gangs, etc. Recently, not so much although Jamaica is generally suffering from a higher rate of crime and violence nowadays. I hope it will never affect these children. Yes, I hope you will visit one day. You would fall in love with the children, that is for sure!
LikeLike
Cool. I see the urge to survive in you photos.
LikeLike
Love this! I think if you can get a child to read it is one of the best things you can do for them.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! Yes, reading is a wonderful gift. For me as a child it was a huge part of my life. I lived half in the world of books, far away. I think the gift of imagination (once it’s unlocked) is priceless and will serve you well all your life. Thanks for your comments!
LikeLike