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Why are we raising funds?
Tulloch Primary School is more than just a school; it is a lifeline for the children of Bog Walk, a rural town in St. Catherine, Jamaica. Tulloch Primary School serves hundreds of children, most of whom are raised in single-parent households with very low to no income. For many of these students, Tulloch is not just a place of learning; it is a safe space where they receive their only consistent meals, guidance, and support.
But after years of rat, bat, termite and other pest infestation being left untreated, as well as a devasting fire in 2023 - Tulloch Primary School's Literacy centre (Library) has now been deemed unsafe by professionals. This leaves 100's of children unable to learn in a safe environment. This has resulted in a 50% reduction in attendance at Tulloch Primary School, as well as the lowest ever recorded literacy rate for the school.
The funds raised will be used to purchase, deliver and install two 20ft storage containers, which will act as Tulloch Primary School's literacy centre.
Tulloch Primary School in the news:
About Tulloch Primary School:
Established in 1934 on land donated by the Turner family, Tulloch Primary School has been educating generations of children from surrounding communities, including West Prospect, Berwick, Church Road, Bog Walk, Riversdale, August Town, Kent Village, and Knollis.
Over the decades, Tulloch has grown from its humble beginnings as “Tulloch All-Age School” to a full primary school with four large buildings, six grades, and classrooms that once housed over 1,500 students. Today, it continues to Tulloch Primary serves hundreds of children, despite the odds.
Tulloch Primary School has a long history of excellence-producing University of Oxford graduates, national competition winners, and community leaders - but is now in crisis. Classrooms are overcrowded, essential resources are missing, and the buildings is deteriorating. Students and teachers face daily challenges that no child should have to endure.
The main challenges faced by Tulloch Primary School, include:
- Infestations and Unsanitary Conditions: Rats have overrun classrooms, the tuck shop, and eating areas. Students risk exposure to disease, and daily learning is disrupted by unsafe conditions. Washrooms and kitchens are in desperate need of repairs, making hygiene and nutrition a constant challenge.
- Damaged Infrastructure: The library, once a haven for learning, and the tuck shop were destroyed by fire in 2023. Containers previously transformed into a reading room or Sick Bay now serve as temporary spaces but are inadequate for the needs of hundreds of children.
- Lack of Basic Supplies: Many students arrive at school without uniforms, shoes, backpacks, or essential school supplies. Simple necessities like notebooks, pens, hygiene items, and nutritious meals are inconsistent or unavailable.
- Overcrowded Classrooms: With six grades sharing limited space, children struggle to focus. Boys, in particular, face behavioural and emotional challenges, needing guidance and support to develop patience, self-expression, and healthy social skills.
- Vulnerable Community Context: Most students come from low-income, single-parent households. Many families cannot afford transportation, uniforms, or school supplies. Without urgent support, students risk falling behind academically and socially, limiting their future opportunities.
Who are we (the organisers) ?
The organisers of this fundraiser is consist of a UK-based team, of young people of Jamaican descent. We are committed to seeing Tulloch Primary School become safe again and the children and staff thriving, as no child should have to learn in an unsafe environment.
Our team is led by:
- Miss. Samaya Miller - Researcher
Miss. Miller conducted her MPhil research from the University of Cambridge at Tulloch, and saw first hand the challenges students face. Whether its the insufficient school supplies, or the unsafe facilities. Despite being based in the UK and Canada, she has stayed in contact with Tulloch Primary School to provide much needed advocacy, guidance, and hands-on support. She is currently a member of the UN-EU Youth Advisory Group in Jamaica and works in International Development Education in London.
- Miss. Reccarnei Phillipson - Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Reconnect JA C.I.C
Miss. Phillipson joined the efforts to support Tulloch Primary School after being informed of the immense need of the school, not far from her maternal grandmothers hometown. Miss. Phillipson is also leading an international volunteering initiative called the 'Back ah Yaad Giveback (Back home/Jamaica Giveback),' scheduled for December 2025. Along with a team of British-Jamaican volunteers, she will visit Tulloch Primary School to provide practical support, help repair infrastructure, deliver learning resources, and engage directly with students, teachers, and staff.
Despite sourcing 500+ books, 100's of pens and pencils, and other essential educational materials, a new literacy centre is the biggest yet most vital support needed to improve the lives of these children and the wider community.
Their efforts, combined with the funds we raise, aim to create immediate relief and long-term improvement for the school.