Sometimes, even out of a tragedy, good things happen. This is the case with the very untimely passing of Judy Hall Neighbor—a wonderful woman who visited Treasure Beach often and quickly learned to love its people, especially the children.

Judy’s family, friends, and co-workers chose to donate money in her honor to Treasure Beach Foundation so we could find the best use for it at Sandy Bank Primary School. I have been working diligently with Judy’s husband, our Board of Directors, and Miss Zane (Sandy Bank’s principal) to come up with something that would be a fitting tribute to Judy.

We have decided to do three things with the funds that have been collected.

First, so there will be something permanent at Sandy Bank, we are having large bookcases built for each of the seven classrooms, as well as the teacher’s lounge. These bookshelves need to be filled with books, both new and used. TB.net readers can assist with the books in one of the following ways:

• When you visit Treasure Beach, please bring some books to donate to Sandy Bank and drop them by the school. They can be used (but not abused) or new. The subject matter should be appropriate for Jamaican students aged 6 to 13. (This means, for instance, not to bring books on U.S. history.) The books can either be non-fiction or fiction. Reference books should be current. The teachers would especially appreciate books on teaching, counseling, and healthcare.

• If you have room in your suitcase but no books to donate—and you can give us a minimum of two week’s notice, we will send you books to carry down with you and deliver to the school.

• If you wish to send us an e-card from Amazon.com, we will purchase special books the school needs. If you do this, please let us know beforehand, because this is considered a tax-deductible donation, and we will send you a receipt.

Secondly, the school is in serious need of a heavy-duty copying machine. One is being purchased.

Third, there are 58 students enrolled in grade six at Sandy Bank. However, the Ministry of Education will only pay for one teacher for all these students. Obviously, one teacher working with 58 students is an impossibility, so an assistant teacher has been hired. Miss Zane had planned to try to pay a salary to the assistant teacher totally out of the proceeds from the school’s “tuck shop” (where the students get their snacks). However, this would be almost an impossible feat—and even if it were accomplished, it would leave the school with no money for any necessary “extras.” Therefore, some proceeds from the fund will be used to pay the majority of the salary for the assistant teacher for the current school year.

If any readers care to make a donation to Treasure Beach Foundation to assist with this particular effort, you may either send us a check (and specify it is for the Judy Neighbor Fund) or you may make a secure online donation, saying you are making a donation in memory of Judy Neighbor. Any such donations will go toward paying more of the salary of the assistant teacher. And, any amount is welcome.

Checks (U.S. currency only) should be made out to Treasure Beach Foundation and mailed to:

11124 Rich Meadow Drive
Great Falls, VA 22066

Online donations (in any currency) may be made by going to http://www.rainbowtreevillas.com/foundation.html and then clicking on the Donate Now button. Again, if you do this, please say your donation is in memory of Judy Neighbor.

This is all quite wonderful. I am glad to see the money is being put to such fruitful use.

As a recent visitor to Treasure Beach, I am thrilled to hear of this gift to the school. I can't wait to visit again - and take books!

This is a touching example of how caring people can make a big difference in the lives of lots of deserving kids. These improvements will have a lasting impact.

Joe Bailey, TBF Board Member

What a beautiful way to give back in a persons name. I look forward to sending books.

Excellent idea!

The Jamaican school system does not seem to pay for much outside of the physical structures and salaries for a certain number of teachers and a principal. It is somehow wrong (in my humble opinion) for a school to have to pay for an assistant teacher out of its meager earnings from selling snacks. If many of us make a small contribution toward this teacher's salary, the school would not have to bear this burden. My feeling is it would not take much. This is a contribution we could make and feel good about doing.

Could the children also use maps and other learning tools?

I so agree with "Yet another mother". It is such a disgrace to hear that donations have to be collected to hire an assistant teacher for a Primary School.
SHAME ON THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA.

I will personally addresst this to the Minister Of Education..... What a Shame.

Ce Ce, you are right. It is so sad. The least the parents can do is to join the PTA and do whatever they can to really help Sandy Bank Primary be all it can be. This also goes for the Basic School.

What an incredibly generous gesture from Judys family & friends. I think the books are a wonderful idea. I would like to offer an e-card from Amazon which I think is the easiest way for me from Spain. Should I email you directly regarding this Karen?

Kim, that would be wonderful. You can certainly e-mail me directly if you wish.

For anyone who doesn't want to e-mail me but is thinking of contributing an e-certificate from Amazon.com, please have it made out to Treasure Beach Foundation, and have it sent to treasurebeachfound@earthlink.net. But also, be sure to e-mail me separately with all your infomation. I will then send you a letter acknowledging your donation. Anyone from the USA who does this will be able to use this letter as proof for IRS of your donation for tax purposes.

Are books yet being brought down for the children or is this too soon to be asking? If we are not visiting Treasure Beach this year and still wish to help out a bit, what may we do?

I don't think any books have yet been delivered to Sandy Bank Primary School, though they are definitely needed. If you have books but will not be going to Treasure Beach this year, you could post that here (assuming you feel comfortable doing so) to see if anyone else is willing to take your books down with them. You may also get directly in touch with me, and I'll try to make a match between someone donating books and someone traveling to Treasure Beach.