The idea emerged in the mid 1970s for Cornwall College alumni residing in the Toronto area to collectively provide support to the Alma Mater in Jamaica. This idea, which was spearheaded by Mr. Denham Jolly, received favorable acceptance among many of the alumni, and subsequently led to an informal meeting being organized and held on a cold and rainy fall afternoon at the King City, Toronto residence of Dr. Winston MacLean to discuss the idea further. Persons present at this meeting were the host (Dr Maclean), Mr. Denham Jolly, Mr. Kent Donaldson, Dr. Lloyd Mackenzie, Mr. Owen MacKenzie, Dr. Donald Holness, Mr. Edmund Gough, Mr. Charles Agate, Mr. Charles Reynolds, Mr. Karl Mullings, Mr. Knollis Johnson, and Mr. Neville Arthurs. At this meeting, it was generally agreed that the way ahead was for an association to be formed, and that the necessary steps should be taken to formalize the organization viz a viz drafting a constitution, selecting a slate of officers and to be a charitable organization with tax exempt status. These matters were subsequently accomplished in 1978 with the able advice and assistance of the then well established New York City Chapter of the Cornwall College Old Boys’ Association.
About Cornwall College Alumni Association of Canada
Background Canada
CCAA (Canada) started life in 1978 as Cornwall College Old Boys Association – Canada. This group came together with a mutual passion to undertake fund-raising efforts to address specific needs of the Alma Mater in Jamaica. Some of the first needs of the school which were addressed included the award of bursaries, donations of library material and the supply of equipment for science laboratory. Not only has the organization undergone a name change in recognition of the significant contributions and participation by women and individuals that did not attend the school, but the group’s focus has since expanded to include the well-being of children in Canada. The launch of the Breakfast Program revolutionized assistance to high school “in need” kids in Jamaica. For CDN$1 per day ($365 per year), Canadian patrons “adopt” a child of their own choosing or if they prefer, a child is selected for them. The patrons will provide breakfast for that one kid for one year. Additionally, the schools use funds sent to them for specific projects – from purchasing school equipment and supplies to establishing a Library, setting up solar energy, providing scholarships and fixing playing areas.
The findings of a research done by UNICEF and published May 2014 confirmed what we already knew - the estimated rate for average daily attendance based on the survey of students in the project schools was 78.9%, St. James, where Cornwall College is located is among the worst of the Regions in Jamaica in absenteeism. The level of daily absenteeism for schools in their survey was equivalent to up to 36% of the total enrolment. Although education was free in the public schools and school attendance was compulsory to the age of sixteen, costs for books, uniforms, lunch, and transport deterred some families from sending their children to school. The typical Jamaican household consist of: typically, one-parent homes (44%) – majority mother, most students live in a different community from school location (69%) and take public transportation to school (62%), More than half (55%) of persons living at home unemployed. Most employed have low-skilled, seasonal jobs.
The burdens of getting a good high school education is larger for vulnerable populations and developing countries. These populations have to manage lack of food at home with the added hardship of overcoming cost of transportation and the need to go out and attempt to earn a living to assist the family.
Most students reported that they were either sick (47%) or had money problems (30%) when they missed school in the survey or reference week. Health (sickness) accounted for almost twice as many days of absences as do economic difficulties (120 vis-à-vis 80 days), and together accounted for 83% of the days of absences reported.
The attendance problem has several dimensions. Firstly, students are simply absent for too long in order catch up with objectives of the learning program for the school year. This is despite availability of remediation activities. Secondly, the intermittent absences disrupt the cumulating process of learning and teaching. This situation increases the burden on remediation activities.
The ability to get these kids to school and provide facility to assist with their learning is instrumental to reducing the absenteeism and dropout rate and improving an individual’s prospect at improving quality of life. CCAA strives to bridge the gaps in learning inequities by providing funding, public education, and access to school that will empower impoverished communities to improve their child attendance to school in Jamaica and Can
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