The Barita Education Foundation (B.E.F.) is a charitable organization that develops Literacy and Numeracy at the Early Childhood level (3-6 year olds) in vulnerable communities in Jamaica. We develop two-year programmes that incorporate teachers, parents and our integrated agenda to educate and inspire children in our partner schools.
Parents are vital for their children’s success, so we also run a BEF Parenting Programme. Working with parents and guardians, B.E.F. Social Workers design approaches to improve parental consciousness, understanding and participation.
Barita believes in nation building. We’ve always participated in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The BEF began in the hearts of the Barita team who first started supporting a citizen’s group called “The Friends of St. Martin de Porres”, along with a breakfast programme at the St. Martin de Porres Primary and Basic schools.
As that group’s involvement expanded, so did Barita’s. When they discovered a general weakness in the instructor training for the schools involved, they developed literacy and numeracy training for the teachers.
While Barita supported the efforts of “The Friends of St. Martin de Porres” through major long-term financial sponsorship and guidance, they ultimately took over the entire initiative.
The Barita Education Foundation was finally launched in October 2004.
Our Early Childhood Practitioners are assigned to the schools. We boost Basic School teachers’ instructional skills and knowledge in Literacy and Numeracy via direct classroom intervention and scheduled workshops.
Core objectives include:
