What We've Done So Far

Since The Blue Mountain Project's birth in 2019, we have had the opportunity to assist countless students and community members with educational and living costs. Given that public education in Jamaica comes with many expenses, we have made it our mission to minimize those expenses as much as possible in order to make students' learning journey a measure of their intelligence and creativity, not a measure of their transportation or financial means.

Educate, Empower, and Inspire.

Primary Programs:

Each pillar features a primary program—our central focus within that area. These programs are designed to address the most urgent challenges facing the school, helping to create a stable foundation before introducing additional supporting initiatives.

Supporting Programs:

Each pillar also includes supporting programs—initiatives that reflect our past efforts or short-term essential projects that provide meaningful impact without requiring ongoing funding.

EDUCATE

Explore the initiatives in our "Educate" pillar, where these ongoing campaigns drive BMP’s core educational goals.

EDUCATE-Transportation

Transportation

Primary Programs:

This issue was one of the first priorities our director aimed to address. Reflecting on his own experience—where school commutes could take three to four hours—he realized that transportation posed one of the most significant challenges to graduating. Sadly, the same hardships he faced nearly three decades ago continue to affect the community today.

Transportation in Shirley Castle is limited. Many students must wake up hours early to walk or catch multiple rides to reach school. With no public transit available, the community often relies on just one or two taxi drivers who sometimes fit up to ten children into a five-seat car. Fuel costs average around $7 per gallon, making fares prohibitive for most schoolchildren. As a result, many are forced to walk despite the safety risks of traveling alone and at times, extremely unpredictable weather.

Currently, 85% of students use our transportation services, and since the program’s introduction, overall attendance has risen to an average of 98%

Our ultimate goal is to provide a fleet of buses so every student has reliable, consistent transportation to school. In 2021, BMP took a significant step toward this vision by purchasing a 12-passenger van, ensuring students have a safe and dependable way to attend class. Proceeds from the Shirley Castle fund go directly to supporting transportation.

Shirley Castle Fund

Supporting Programs

School uniforms and supplies are often things we take for granted in educational settings. However, for Shirley Castle and many schools in rural Jamaica, access to these essential resources is extremely limited. Many students lack basic school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, and backpacks, while families struggle to afford required school uniforms, making it even more challenging for children to attend school consistently. Ensuring access to these necessities is critical in supporting students' education, confidence, and overall success.

School Supplies and Uniforms

Pictured Above:

Founder Richard Scott and School Principal Debbie-Ann McKenzie completing the purchase of the first Shirley Castle van in 2021. Since then, this van has traveled countless miles, dedicated solely to transporting students to and from Shirley Castle Primary School.

EMPOWER

Provide students with the extra tools and healthcare they need to succeed, ensuring that meeting their basic needs empowers the entire learning experience.

Daily Breakfast and Lunch

Primary Programs:

Many students at Shirley Castle experience significant financial strain, which often impacts their access to meals. That's why one of our top priorities is to provide breakfast and lunch for every student—no questions asked. Although it may sound surprising, we can feed each child for just $1.30 per day, ensuring they receive nutritious food and the energy they need to learn.

Over 65 students at Shirley Castle now receive free, nutritious daily meals. BMP’s support fills critical gaps left by programs like PATH, which often provide insufficient nutrition and impose unrealistic requirements for students facing transportation, health, and financial challenges.

Sponsor A Student

Covid-19 Relief

Supporting Programs

During the pandemic, digital learning was highly inaccessible for many students of Shirley Castle. We recognized these struggles and donated internet access gift cards to ensure students had access to school content and could continue their learning remotely.

INSPIRE

Inspire students to advance in their education and aim for new heights by offering additional social support and proven methods to foster self-confidence.

Transportation

Free Health Clinic

For two consecutive years, we’ve had the honor of organizing and hosting Shirley Castle’s annual health clinic. Each year, at least seven healthcare professionals with diverse specialties travel with BMP to support students and community members. Hundreds of patients have received care through these clinics, and our goal is to increase their frequency to ensure consistent access to healthcare in a community with limited medical resources.

Primary Programs

For the past two consecutive years, BMP’s free health clinic has provided care to over 200 patients annually.
Specialists from four distinct medical fields participate to ensure each patient receives a thorough and comprehensive check-up.

Shirley Castle Fund

Supporting Programs:

We provided funding for labor and materials to update and repaint the school sign and building, as well as to repave and improve the hazardous road leading to the school. This initiative reflects our commitment to enhancing Shirley Castle Primary and fostering a sense of pride and ownership within the community. By investing in these improvements, we aim to create a safer and more welcoming environment for students while reinforcing the importance of education and the value of investing in our youth.

A Fresh look for the School

Pictured is Janai Elegbe, a high school student from Texas whose birthday wishlist consisted only of school supplies for the students of Shirley Castle. Not only did she make a donation of supplies, she also donated her time to improve the condition of the school. Volunteers and gracious individuals like Janai are the reason BMP is now more than just a vision, but a reality.