Global Education Foundation
As the saying goes "Once a teacher always a teacher". This statement rings true for Mrs. Ellie Newman, a retired teacher of Denver Colorado. In January 2002, Mrs. Newman came to Jamaica to recover from a knee surgery. On her visit she brought one suitcase of books and school supplies as gifts for children she did not know. Mrs. Newman visited the Sudbury All Age School and the Muschette Comprehension High School where she delivered the gifts to the children. She was immediately drawn toe her true vocation of teaching as she recognized the need for reading materials that was lacking among the students. Little did she realize that her profession once again was about to blossom and bloom at her retirement. The great need that she recognized inspired her to make a difference and she dedicated herself to the task of improving literacy in our Jamaican schools. Mrs. Newman returned home with a great vision and embarked on a book drive. She started by asking her son, daughters, grandchildren, other family members, and friends, to donate used books to the children in Jamaica.
In 2003 Mrs. Newman with the help of Jim Hutto shipped four used computers, a VCR, tape recorders, audio and visual cassettes and educational games to Jamaica. Three Counselors Nadine, Patricia, and Althia received their first computer. The fourth was given tot he Sudbury All Age School. By now nothing could distract Ellie from her goal. So intense was she that friends who came to Jamaica with her for a peaceful vacation were drawn into her dream and inspiration for the book project and were soon visiting schools instead of enjoying the luxury of the beach or their hotel rooms.
In 2003. on one of her trips to Jamaica Ellie decided to go to Negril and enjoy the luxury of their seven mile long white sand beach. She did reach Negril, but within the first mile on the beach she was introduced to Mr. Winston Wellington the owner of Traveller's Beach Resort and this ended her tour of the beautiful white sand beach. She engaged the owner of the hotel in a conversation about her work and vision for the book project in Jamaica; he was immediately drawn into her web. He became indoctrinated, and was soon preaching to his friends and others about the great need to help reduce illiteracy in the schools in Negril.
I am happy to report that Mr. Wellington has taken Ellie's dream and motivated many in the Negril region to participate in the book project. He began a book drive and had many of his friends in England, Canada and America donating books, school supplies and used computers to the Jamaican schools. Since last may Mr. Wellington had over four book fairs where he handed out books and school supplies to more than forty schools in the parishes of Westmoreland and I am amazed to see the involvement of the guests at his hotel. Almost every guest is actively involved in packing and labeling of boxes of books for the various schools. And They all attended the ceremony at the book fairs. Whenever Mrs.. Newman visits Jamaica she is treated as a guest of honor, so if you want a work vacation in Jamaica, get in touch with this extraordinary lady Ellie.
Since 2002 Mrs. Newman had shipped over 70 thousand pounds of books to Jamaica. The question you may want to ask is "Where are all these books?"
Today in Jamaica, Mrs. Newman's books project has reached the babies in the cradle, the basic, elementary and high schools, churches, community and Rotary clubs, hospitals, prisons, libraries, girls homes, and other educational centers.
A writer once asked the question, "How many of us are willing to leave our families, and travel thousands of miles, without guaranteed success, to a land we don't even speak their language and devote ourselves to be an instrument of change?" Mrs. Newman's daring nature has gained her success she did not dream of, has given her honor, purpose of life, a new insight , and a sense of fulfillment and joy.