20 generators donated to schools most affected by Hurricane Melissa

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Tova Hamilton (third right, front row), poses with students from Mulgrave Primary School in St. Elizabeth, which is among the beneficiaries of 20 dual‑fuel 15,000‑watt portable generators donated for distribution to educational institutions most affected by Hurricane Melissa. The generators were handed over during a ceremony held on Tuesday (April 7) at the National Education Trust (NET) Building, Caenwood Centre, Kingston. The donation was made possible through a collaboration involving Jamaica Vacations Limited (JamVac) and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Foundation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, with support from its local affiliate, MSC Jamaica Limited. Other participating stakeholders include (from left, back row) Senior Education Officer, Region Four, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Everette Riley; NET Executive Director, Latoya Harris-Ghartey; MSC Jamaica Limited Managing Director, Roger Hinds; JamVac Executive Director, Joy Roberts; Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Executive Director, Dr. Carey Wallace; Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Education Ministry's Guidance and Counselling Unit, Kennecy Haynes-Davidson, and Mulgrave Primary School Principal, Ryan Stone.

Schools hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025, will receive a boost to restore essential services with the donation of 20 dual-fuel generators, courtesy of the National Education Trust (NET) in partnership with Jamaica Vacations Limited (JamVac) and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Foundation.

The new 15,000-watt portable generators were officially handed over during a ceremony at the NET Building, Caenwood Centre, Kingston. The MSC Foundation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, made the donation with support from its local affiliate, MSC Jamaica Limited.

Speaking at the handover, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Tova Hamilton, highlighted the connection between tourism and social development.

“These generators represent the tangible link between tourism and social development. They ensure that when challenges arise, our schools can remain operational, our children can continue learning, and our communities can maintain stability,” she said.

Hamilton also noted that Jamaica’s cruise partners were among the first to extend support after the Category-Five storm, demonstrating the ongoing spirit of partnership in the country’s recovery efforts.

“Today’s donation is another example of that commitment… one that strengthens our education system, supports resilience, and uplifts communities that form the backbone of our tourism product,” she added.

Supporting Recovery and Resilience

NET Executive Director, Latoya Harris Ghartey, said more than 700 institutions, from infant to tertiary levels, were devastated by Hurricane Melissa. She explained that the generators will be distributed to schools in rural communities still without electricity, providing lighting and powering pumps to ensure reliable water supply for sanitation, food preparation, and other essential needs.

“This intervention will provide lasting benefits for both students and administrators,” Harris Ghartey said, expressing gratitude to JamVac and MSC.

Partners Reaffirm Commitment

JamVac Executive Director Joy Roberts and MSC Jamaica Managing Director Roger Hinds emphasized the importance of the intervention.

“Ensuring that these institutions have reliable access to electricity is essential to maintaining the resilience of the communities that are served. To the principals, teachers and students… please note that you are not alone,” Roberts said.

The distribution of the generators will be coordinated by NET to prioritize schools in greatest need, advancing recovery efforts and ensuring the continuity of education across Jamaica.