The Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force (JDETF) continues to move forward to raise US$2,000,000 to upgrade the infrastructure of early childhood and primary schools in Jamaica with a portion of the proceeds to be used for professional development and training for teachers.

The pledge2build fundraising campaign is an inter-parish competition among Jamaicans across the globe, where donors will compete to raise funds for their respective parishes. The fundraising period begins November 1, 2016 and runs through January 31, 2017, following an official launch in Jamaica on November 1st at the Pegasus Hotel.

Preceeding the “kick off” in Jamaica are a series of Diaspora Launch Receptions, the first took place on Wednesday, October 26th at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington DC at 6:30 pm. Endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) and hosted by Ambassador Audrey Marks, local media and community leaders were invited to hear first hand from JDETF leader, Leo Gilling, describe the campaign that will be an inter parish competition.

The intent is to alert the Diaspora community of three million strong to play a greater role in the development and transformation of education in Jamaica. Partners Jamaica National, GraceKennedy Ltd., Victoria Mutual Building Society, Western Union and the National Education Trust are invited to participate in the evening’s procedures.