KINGSTON, JAMAICA – The spirit of “Hands and Hearts” vibrated through the Jamaica National Children’s Home (JNCH) on May 23, 2025, as the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) spearheaded a powerful Labour Day initiative, marking the inaugural phase of a truly transformative annual commitment operating under the theme “Caring for the Children, Transforming their Environment”.
This annual initiative will be meticulously developed to attract substantial corporate sponsorship, with the ambitious goal of providing significant infrastructural support to the JNCH in 2026 and beyond. This long-term strategy will enable the OEC to address the Home’s extensive needs in a truly sustainable and impactful manner. While the dust has settled on a day of dedicated service, the OEC is already setting its sights on a long-term vision to uplift the lives of the vulnerable children at the JNCH, galvanizing the support of corporate Jamaica in a ground-breaking partnership.
The OEC’s “Hands and Hearts Labour Day Project” launched with tremendous vigour, focusing on the immediate needs of the JNCH. It’s important to highlight that the Jamaica National Children’s Home is a non-government organisation, owned and operated by the Jamaica Methodist Church, yet its critical role in child welfare may see it receiving minimal support from the government. On May 23rd, the OEC team, embodied the “Hands and Hearts” theme and assisted with painting and cleaning the damaged library, a vital space within the Home. This effort was a powerful show of solidarity, as the OEC joined forces with other corporate and supporting bodies, including the unwavering support of the JDF and 138 Living. The Victoria Mutual Group and the JPS Customer Experience Department also showcased their deep commitment, arriving with essential personal care items and other supplies, including a bunk bed slated for delivery this month.
This initial Labour Day activity, however, is merely the first chapter in a much grander narrative. Recognising the monumental scale of these challenges, and in light of the OEC’s limitations on directly sponsoring an entity, the organisation is strategically shifting its focus from direct financial sponsorship to becoming a catalyst for broad-based corporate support. For the past three years, the OEC has been a steadfast “adoptive” partner to the JNCH through its “Joy to the Children” Christmas donation and treat, a heart-warming initiative that has consistently seen the JPS Customer Experience Department partner in making generous donations each festive season. This beloved Christmas tradition will absolutely continue in 2025. The Jamaica National Children’s Home has endured immense hardship, notably a devastating fire that ravaged a significant portion of its dormitories. Reports from 2019 estimated the loss from this catastrophic event to be as high as J$150 million, a staggering sum that underscores the vast infrastructural and personal needs of the children residing there.
However, the vision for the “Hands and Hearts Labour Day Project” is far more expansive. The OEC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility extends beyond its well-known “Computers in Schools” project, demonstrating a holistic approach to giving back. The organisation believes in transforming environments and meeting the diverse needs of the less fortunate children who call JNCH home. This project is a testament to the OEC’s unwavering dedication to not only empowering future generations through technology but also ensuring they have a safe, nurturing, and well-equipped environment in which to thrive.
The OEC is actively seeking dialogue with corporate Jamaica to join forces in this crucial endeavour. We invite all corporate entities with a shared commitment to community development and child welfare to partner with us in the “Hands and Hearts Labour Day Project.” Your support, whether through financial contributions, in-kind donations, or volunteer efforts, will be instrumental in turning this vision into a tangible reality. Furthermore, we are always open to discussions for the “Joy to the Children” initiative for Christmas 2025, as we continue to spread cheer during the holiday season.
Let’s collectively build a brighter future for the children of Jamaica. The OEC’s “Hands and Hearts Labour Day Project” is more than just an annual event; it’s an invitation to impact lives and ignite lasting change. Come, be a part of this powerful movement!