Rebuilding Hope: Christos Ministries Launches $300,000 Campaign to Restore Leeds Primary & Infant School in Jamaica

Mervyn Levy • November 3, 2025

When the sun rose over the hills of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on March 10, 2025, the small community of Leeds awoke to heartbreak. Smoke still drifted from the blackened remains of their beloved Leeds Primary & Infant School — a century-old cornerstone of the community that had stood for generations as a place of learning, laughter, and hope.


The fire had started late the previous night, tearing through several critical sections of the school: the principal’s office, staff room, library, and a classroom. By morning, little was left but ash, twisted metal, and memories. Teachers wept as they sifted through the debris. Children stood silently, clutching their books and uniforms, trying to make sense of what had happened to their second home. The estimated loss — over J$50 million (approximately US $320,000) — is devastating for this rural parish. Leeds Primary & Infant School isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of opportunity in a community where education represents the only bridge to a brighter future.


“Everything is gone.”

Those were the haunting words of Principal Sharon Bennett, speaking to local reporters the morning after the fire. Decades of progress, supplies, and hard-earned improvements — gone overnight. Yet amid the ashes, something powerful began to stir. The people of Leeds refused to lose hope. Parents volunteered to clean the grounds. Teachers began holding lessons under trees and in borrowed community spaces. And soon, word spread beyond Jamaica — reaching the hearts of compassionate believers around the world.


A Call to Rebuild

Christos Ministries International (CMI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and restoring educational facilities for children in under-resourced communities, answered that call. For years, Christos Ministries has been committed to helping children access safe, quality education — from constructing new classrooms to equipping schools with essential resources and technology. Their mission is simple yet profound: to transform communities through Christ-centered education and compassionate action. Now, they are launching one of their most urgent initiatives yet — a $300,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild and fully restore Leeds Primary & Infant School.


A School at the Heart of the Community

Leeds Primary & Infant isn’t a large institution. It serves fewer than 200 students, yet its influence radiates across generations. For families in this rural part of St. Elizabeth, the school is the heartbeat of the village. It’s where parents once sat on those same benches decades ago. It’s where grandparents come to watch concerts, graduations, and community meetings. It’s the first place every child in Leeds learns to read, to dream, and to believe that a better life is possible.


When the fire struck, it didn’t just destroy classrooms — it interrupted the rhythm of the community’s daily life. Students preparing for their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams were displaced. Teachers lost years of instructional materials and resources. And yet, the spirit of resilience that defines Jamaica refused to be extinguished.


With support from the Jamaican Ministry of Education, temporary classrooms have been set up, and some areas of the school have been cleaned and cleared. But full restoration — rebuilding the classrooms, installing new furniture and equipment, and creating a safe, modern learning environment — will take far more resources than the local community can provide on its own.


Christos Ministries Steps In

Christos Ministries is no stranger to rebuilding what’s been lost. Founded on the belief that “every child deserves the right to learn in safety and dignity,” the organization has been instrumental in constructing and restoring schools across the Caribbean and beyond. Their approach is holistic. Christos Ministries doesn’t just build walls — they build futures. Each project includes not only physical reconstruction, but also the provision of furniture, educational materials, and teacher support. For the Leeds project, the plan includes:

  • Rebuilding the destroyed classrooms, library, and administrative offices
  • Installing updated electrical and fire safety systems
  • Providing new furniture, technology, and learning resources
  • Creating a safe playground and outdoor learning area for students
  • Establishing a “Hope Fund” for ongoing maintenance and teacher development


The goal is not simply to replace what was lost — but to make it better than before.


The $300,000 Vision

Raising $300,000 will make it possible to restore the Leeds Primary & Infant School to full operation and expand its capacity for future generations.

  • $100,000 will go toward construction and materials
  • $75,000 toward furnishings and educational equipment
  • $50,000 toward fire safety, wiring, and structural upgrades
  • $50,000 for technology and learning tools
  • $25,000 for teacher support, training, and ongoing maintenance


Every dollar raised will directly contribute to rebuilding the heart of this community.


Why This Matters

For many of the children at Leeds Primary & Infant, education is not just about reading and writing — it’s about survival and opportunity. In rural Jamaica, access to quality education can determine whether a child escapes the cycle of poverty or remains trapped within it.

As Christos Ministries Founder [Insert Leader’s Name] put it:

“When a school burns, a community’s light goes out. But when we rebuild, that light shines brighter than ever — because now, the world knows they are not alone.”

Through this campaign, Christos Ministries invites donors, churches, and partners around the globe to be part of that light.


How You Can Help

Rebuilding a school is more than a construction project — it’s an act of faith and love. Christos Ministries is calling on individuals, families, and businesses to join the effort in one of three ways:

  1. Donate: Every contribution, large or small, brings the project closer to completion.
  2. Sponsor a Classroom: Major donors can dedicate a classroom, library section, or playground area in honor of a loved one or organization.
  3. Share the Story: Awareness is power. Spreading the word about Leeds Primary & Infant helps inspire others to act.


Donations can be made securely at www.christos-ministries.org

Why Parents Can't Go to Work Without a School

By Mervyn Levy • July 21, 2026
When people think about schools, they often think about education—teachers, classrooms, homework, and preparing children for the future. While those things are certainly important, there is another role that schools play that many people never consider. For many families in underserved communities, a school is what makes it possible for parents to go to work. Without a safe place for children to spend the day, earning a living becomes incredibly difficult. A school isn't just a place for learning—it becomes part of the foundation that keeps families and entire communities moving forward. A Day Without a School Imagine waking up before sunrise, preparing for another day of work. You have a job waiting for you. Your family depends on the income. But there's one problem. Your children have nowhere safe to go. There are no affordable childcare options. No trusted family member nearby. No school where they can spend the day learning and being cared for. Now you're faced with an impossible choice. Do you leave your children unattended? Or do you stay home and lose the income your family desperately needs? For many parents, the answer isn't really a choice at all. They stay home. The paycheck disappears. Groceries become harder to afford. Bills begin to pile up. One missed day of work can quickly become several, placing tremendous strain on the entire household. One School Changes Everything Now imagine the same morning with one important difference. Your children get ready for school. They walk through the doors of a safe, caring environment where they are welcomed by teachers who know them and encourage them. Instead of worrying all day, you head to work knowing your children are protected, supported, and learning. You earn the income your family depends on. Your employer has a reliable worker. Your children spend the day in a place designed to help them grow. That single school has changed the direction of the entire day—not only for one child, but for an entire family. Schools Support Working Families Schools provide much more than education. They provide stability. When parents know their children have a safe place to spend the day, they can focus on building a better life for their families through honest work. This creates a ripple effect throughout the community. Parents remain employed. Businesses have dependable workers. Families have greater financial stability. Children grow up in a consistent, caring environment. Communities become stronger because families have the support they need to move forward together. More Than Classrooms It's easy to see a school as simply another building. But in many communities, it represents something much greater. It represents opportunity. It represents security. It represents hope. Every classroom allows parents to pursue meaningful work while knowing their children are being cared for. Every teacher provides encouragement that extends beyond academics. Every school day helps strengthen not only children, but the families who love them. Building Stronger Communities in Jamaica At Christos Ministries, building schools in Jamaica is about more than constructing classrooms. It's about strengthening families. When children have a safe place to learn and grow, parents have the freedom to work and provide for their households. That simple reality creates stability that benefits the entire community. Each school becomes a place where children are nurtured, parents are supported, and communities can continue moving forward together. You Can Help Keep Hope Alive Sometimes the most meaningful acts of generosity aren't the ones people notice first. A school may look like a building made of concrete, desks, and books. But for the families who rely on it every day, it represents something far more valuable. It means a parent can go to work. It means a child has a safe place to belong. It means a family has one less impossible decision to make. When you support Christos Ministries, you're helping create places where children are cared for, parents are empowered to earn a living, and communities gain the stability they need to thrive. Because sometimes, the most important thing a school provides isn't just an education. It's the opportunity for families to move forward—one day, one child, and one community at a time.

A School Is More Than a School: How One Building Can Strengthen an Entire Community

By Mervyn Levy • July 21, 2026
When most people think about a school, they picture classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and students learning new subjects. While education is certainly important, schools in many underserved communities serve a much larger purpose. For families in rural Jamaica, a school is often the foundation that allows an entire community to function. It provides children with a safe place to learn and grow while giving parents the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and contribute to the local economy. In many ways, a school becomes the heartbeat of the community. A Safe Place for Children Every parent wants to know their child is safe. In communities where childcare options are limited, schools provide much more than education. They offer structure, supervision, encouragement, and a caring environment where children can spend their day surrounded by trusted adults. For many families, that peace of mind is invaluable. Knowing their children are safe allows parents to focus on earning a living instead of worrying about what may happen while they are away. Giving Parents the Freedom to Work One of the greatest challenges facing families in underserved communities is balancing work with caring for young children. If a parent must stay home because there is nowhere safe for their child to go, earning a steady income becomes difficult or even impossible. When a local school is available, that changes everything. Parents can seek employment, maintain jobs, or operate small businesses knowing their children are in a safe and supportive environment. A school doesn't simply educate children—it creates opportunities for parents to provide for their families. Supporting the Entire Community The impact extends far beyond individual families. When more parents are able to work, local businesses gain reliable employees. Families have greater financial stability, local commerce continues, and communities become more resilient. Schools become gathering places where relationships are built, hope is strengthened, and neighborhoods grow together. They serve as an anchor that helps communities remain connected during both everyday life and times of hardship. Investing in Stability Today It's natural to think about education as an investment in the future. And it certainly is. But schools also address the needs of today. Every school built creates immediate benefits for families who depend on a safe, reliable place for their children during the day. That stability allows parents to work, children to learn in a caring environment, and communities to continue moving forward one day at a time. A Mission That Strengthens Families At Christos Ministries, building schools is about more than constructing classrooms. It's about creating spaces where children are cared for, families are supported, and communities are strengthened. Every classroom represents more than desks and books. It represents parents who can go to work with confidence. It represents children who have a safe place to grow. It represents communities with greater stability and hope. How You Can Make a Difference Strong communities are built one family at a time. When you support the work of Christos Ministries, you're helping create safe environments where children can learn, parents can work, and entire communities can move toward greater stability. A school is much more than a building. It's a place where hope takes root, families are strengthened, and communities find the support they need to keep moving forward. Because sometimes the most important thing a school provides isn't just an education. It's the opportunity for an entire community to thrive.
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