CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES
JUNE 2025
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF JAMAICA BASIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION
CANCER SURVIVOR AND SON TO LEAD WOLVERHAMPTONS RACE FOR LIFE
FORMER TEEN MOM CLAUDIENNE, NOW A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE MOGUL WITH $1B IN DEALS CLOSED
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A MOTHER AND HER THREE DAUGHTERS ALL GRADUATE TOGETHER ON THE SAME DAY
Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation Celebrates 30 Years of Transforming Early Childhood Education. Founder Josephine Williams continues her mission to build a brighter future for Jamaica’s youngest learners For 30 years, the Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation (UK) has been a lifeline for Jamaica’s most vulnerable children, providing crucial support to improve early childhood education across the island. At the centre of this remarkable effort is Josephine Williams, Founder and Chair, whose dedication to Jamaica’s future began with a single fundraising event in 1995. Hosted at South London Caesar the idea of giving back to her country came to one evening at her restaurant Rumours in Brixton and the event drew high-profile guests including thenPrime Minister Michael Manley, Jamaican High Commissioner Derek Heaven and Courtenay Rattray. That night sparked a journey that would go on to impact thousands of young lives.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to assist with the early development of childhood education by improving the learning environment in Jamaica’s basic schools,” says Williams. Community, Culture, and Commitment To rally further support, Williams launched the nowiconic Family Fun Day—a joyful celebration of Jamaican culture that began in Battersea Park. The event quickly became a community staple, bringing together everyday families and notable Jamaicans such as Harry Belafonte and former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. “It was about bringing Jamaica to the park,” she says. “The community energy was incredible. It just kept growing.” Today, the event is held annually in Norbury Park, where performers like Luciano and Agent Sasco help attract thousands of attendees. Complementing the festival is a popular 10K Walk for Education, encouraging healthy living while raising funds for the cause.
This year’s Fun Day takes place on August 3rd, followed by a 30th Anniversary Ball on November 8th. Rebuilding Jamaica, One School at a Time The Foundation’s most meaningful work continues on the ground in Jamaica, where it supports both infrastructure and programme development for schools in need. Current projects include the rebuilding of a school in Hanover, the construction of a new facility, and further expansions into St. Mary and Trelawny. These efforts now include Primary Schools, reflecting the growing scale of JBSF’s impact. “We’re raising over £65,000 for the Hanover project alone,” Williams notes. “We’re also working with the Riu Hotels Group
socially impactful initiative to deliver paediatric first aid training across schools in Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Trelawny, and Montego Bay. There’s a whole lot of work to be done—and we’re committed.”
“Jamaica still has some of the worst school facilities I’ve seen, but also the most enthusiastic and well-presented children you’ll ever meet,” says Josephine
The Power of Partnership None of this would be possible without support from longstanding partners such as VM Group, Grace Foods, as well as influential advocates like football legend John Barnes MBE, a proud Patron of the Foundation. Williams also credits her closest allies— Pamela,Dorette, Carol, Claudette and Shimeika and supporters like Saffron Jackson, Mrs Delores Cooper, Donna Reynolds, for standing by her side throughout the Foundation’s journey. Her children Michael, Michelle Kelly-Jade and Andrea have been a constant source of inspiration.
“They deserve better—and that’s what we’re here to deliver.”
A Call to Action As the Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation marks its 30th year, Josephine Williams remains as passionate as ever. “We’re now looking for younger people with fresh
energy and social investment expertise to help us carry this work forward, which will be led by Kelly-Jade Bonitto and Danielle Williams the Co Chair. Please continue Foundation—
to
support
the
we’re building Jamaica’s future, one child at a time.”