The BVI Seventh-day-Adventist School continues to make waves within the North Caribbean Conference. What started out as a few students’ ideas, mushroomed into a class project that impacted the life of four-year-old cancer patient, Jahdiel Watson, and his family. During the second term of the school year, Form 3 (Grade 10) class was brainstorming for ideas to fuel their outreach program. This project was in collaboration with the A.C.T.S (Active Christianity Through Service) initiative developed last school year by Bible teacher Mrs. Ysanna John. The objective of this program is to facilitate varied ways for students to perform charitable acts as a major part of their Bible curriculum. One of the requirements for the program is for students to “adopt” a child or grandparent for the term, as part of their Bible course.
The students suggested that an ice cream sale be hosted on campus to help to raise funds to help to defray medical cost for little Jahdiel, who is currently being treated in Florida. However, it was envisioned that in an effort to maximize the project, it had to take place outside of the environs of the school. The class was organized into different committees that were responsible for the planning and implementation of the project. Some of the items that were proposed for sale included cakes and pastries, ice cream,sno cone, roti, water, and drinks.
The event was advertised and superbly highlighted on most social media platform via a promotional video compiled by five young ladies of the class. This advertisement was well received by the Seventh-day Adventist and non-SDA communities alike. The scheduled venue for the project was The Noel Lloyd’s Action Movement Park on Thursday, March 28th, 2019. This was strategically decided to coincide with another food sale, that was organized for the same date and venue by the Watson family.
Parents and guardians contributed items and cash towards the sale. With cash in hand of under $700.00, the students decided to make every moment count. They were very enthusiastic and displayed positive camaraderie as they worked together for a worthy cause. Their effervescence, effective advertisement of the event, and strategic sales skills propelled them to double their initial goal of $1000 in five(5) hours. Students reported that even though this was an examination, they were not very concerned about their grades, they were just eager to do their utmost best to help a child in need. They made such a positive impact, that a round of applause from patrons went up for them as they exited the park.
On Monday, April 15th, 2019, a proud class, amidst applause from the entire student body, presented a homemade card and a check for $2,126.44 to Jahdiel’s grandmother, Sister Jasmine Watson. This event was used as the students’ final exam. They were assessed in the areas of group dynamics, advertisement, effective planning and preparation, finance management and budgeting, sales and marketing, Christian deportment, customer service, and a written one-page report.
It is obvious by students’ response, that this project has left an indelible impact on their minds, as they intend to reseal the wooden box used for donations, and to continue the fund-raising drive under the theme, ”Let’s bring Jahdiel Home”.Not only did the students encourage the public to “bear one another’s burdens”, but they also demonstrated and championed that cause in a tangible way.
The teacher and class are grateful for the support of parents and guardians, the community and the school for supporting such as successful venture. We praise God for using young people as His instruments for ministry.
We pray God’s continued blessings on The BVI Seventh-day Adventist School in its perseverance for excellence. May our ultimate goal be to prepare students for service for God and to humanity, and abundant life in the hereafter.