The Calderwood Mother and Children Centre Jamaica
Christiene Walford-Wilmot, the centre manager, is the JP (Justice of Peace) of Calderwood District St. Ann in Jamaica and a BSC Educator with forty years teaching experience in primary and early learning. She is a member of the St. Ann Retired Teachers’ Association, Vice Chair of the Grant’s Mountain Primary and Infant School, St. Ann and the Women’s President in her church.
As the Manager for the Calderwood MaC (Mother and Children) Centre my main role is to create a safe learning environment for the children to develop core skills in readiness for starting school. Working with the mothers to help develop their parenting skills and encourage interacting with their children is also a key responsibly. I demonstrate and assist them in using the resources and educational materials to ensure their children are given the best support to begin discovering and exploring their senses, while developing core motor skills.
Jamaica has the third lowest adult literacy rate in the Caribbean, so engaging the children in books and encouraging the mothers to read with their children plays an important part of the centre’s objectives. The MaC Centre is a hub that is bringing the community closer together in providing a common learning environment where parents can share strengths and weaknesses. Our aim is to create a holistic lifestyle giving parents an opportunity to access a variety of learning resources that will contribute to all aspects of their children’s development.
The MaC Centre is generating a great deal of interest and support within the community. Young parents, especially mothers, are looking to the centre to support them with setting up online accounts and help develop their IT, literacy and employability skills. Local people have been suggesting ways to raise funds to help the centre move to its next phase of supporting the elderly and SEN members of the community and provide a safe space for young people to study with text books and internet access.
I believe the MaC Centre has been a lifeline for many citizens living in Calderwood, especially the young mothers and their children. I feel blessed to be part of this incredible initiative and honoured to play my part in promoting its facilities and benefits to the wider community.
The Calderwood MaC (Mother and Children) Centre was founded in July 2020 by Evadne Bygrave in memory of her late father, Egbert George Bygrave, who built the centre for the Calderwood community in 1996.
Steve Sinnott Foundation • March 25, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
