Supporting Early Childhood Development 1

Who We Are JPS is Jamaica’s energy company. We provide service through a network of power plants, power delivery lines and customer service centres islandwide. We have a customer base of approximately 600,000 residential and business customers. But our connection to communities go beyond wires and poles: we believe in being part of the communities we serve. 2

How We Give Back JPS’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme has included contributions to Education, Sports and Community Development. In August this year we officially launched the JPS Foundation The main areas of focus of the JPS Foundation are: Education Youth Leadership Development Community Empowerment 3

Early Childhood Focus Since 2002 JPS has been giving back through the JPS Early Childhood Nutrition Programme. The programme started when we were approached by a group of Basic Schools in Central Village. The teachers indicated that Nutrition was one of the areas of greatest need. Low levels of attendance, inattentiveness, and poor performance were common among the children - who were hungry most of the time. 4

Partnerships for Improved Nutrition The approach: Partnerships with Community Basic Schools – which did not get the support provided for Infant Schools. JPS would match Government subsidy through the Ministry of Education Collaboration with Early Childhood Commission for school selection, monitoring and measurement, where possible. The programme is administered through parish Clusters 5

Programme Expansion JPS started out by matching Government subsidy, which now stands at $175 per child per year. However, JPS now gives $400 per child per year. On average, the Company spends approximately Ten Million Dollars (J $10 M) per year on this programme. The programme now provides meals for 26,487 children in 468 basic schools in all parishes. 6

Building on the Programme Creating Model Schools: Building on the platform established by the Nutrition Programme. JPS will be working with 3 early childhood institutions to help them meet the basic standards set by the ECC over a three-year period. 7

Important Points to Note Accountability: JPS does its own audit The Principals submit reports to the ECC supervisors Documentation is critical: receipts, etc required Regular meetings with the Cluster groups Challenges / Opportunities: Parents stop contributing when they realise the school is getting support. More integration of community farming groups Measurement of results to be improved 8