St. Ann’s Bay

The St. Ann’s Bay Centre has a rich history that dates back to its early days in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, in 1986. Later, it moved to the Anglican Church Cottage on 19 Church Street in St. Ann’s Bay in 1993. Eventually, the St. Ann Municipal (Parish Council) provided a building on Seville property that was renovated by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and handed over to the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) in May 1999. The Centre started with 9 staff members and 15 students at its new location on Seville Road. It facilitated three classes, including remedial, and groups one and two for lower and upper school students. Additionally, the Centre offered an evening class programme for students within the area, focusing on Mathematics, English Language, and Art and Craft. The Centre’s location is unique, within walking distance of several key landmarks, such as the beach, St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, and the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church. The property also features a greenhouse and ample land space used for vegetable gardening. Produce from the garden is utilized in the Centre’s kitchen to prepare healthy meals for the students. Currently, the Centre provides continuing education in core subjects, such as English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Human and Social Biology, and Integrated Science. The Centre also offers caregiving services to the babies of its students in the Day Nursery. Every year, the Centre reintegrates over 50 students into the formal school system or an institution for vocational training.