Wonder World Child Care Centre in Kingston yesterday received the second in a series of donations from the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) as part of its Heritage Week activities to promote its newly published posters of the national heroes and symbols.

Handing over the items, chief executive officer of the JIS, Donna-Marie Rowe, explained that the design and promotion of the new posters were in keeping with the agency's thrust to heighten awareness about Jamaica's heritage and culture

"The JIS undertook the initiative to publish these new posters to coincide with the celebration of National Heritage Week," Rowe said following the handover ceremony at Wonder World Care Centre in Kingston. "We thought it was necessary to add new life to our existing posters and give our schools the opportunity to share in this historic moment, as we pause to reflect on our heroes and to cherish the national symbols which all combine to make us Jamaicans."

The package price for the posters of the heroes is $1,050 while the symbols may be purchased for $950 each. However, each poster may be purchased for $150.

In addition to the new posters, the childcare centre received flyers with information on all the heroes and other posters highlighting topics, such as parenting and the National Pledge.

Extra special

Meanwhile, director of Wonder World Child Care Centre, Garthia Boyd said: "The donation of the JIS materials is really extra special because it has taken a whole different approach. We normally call in and get our supply of heritage materials - the flags, posters - but to have Mrs Donna-Marie Rowe come and have the children involved, it really means a lot to us."

She added: "The children use the materials to get acquainted with their national heroes and the symbols that exist. I was very pleased that when asked to identify Marcus Garvey they quickly responded and that they could associate because we ensure that the children are very familiar with their history and their people, so this [donation] will go a long way."

Boyd added that the materials would also be on display during the school's Jamaica Day celebrations on Thursday, October 15.

According to the JIS's CEO, the donations to schools will be maintained as JIS continues to contribute to national consciousness.

"The JIS stands steadfast in its support of education in Jamaica and we will continue to do our part by donating some of our materials to schools islandwide. We have a variety of materials that focus on our heroes, cultural icons such as Miss Lou, former prime ministers - our materials can only help to teach our citizens, both young and old, more about our island," Rowe assured.

The new posters are available for sale at the JIS's head office, 58A Half-Way Tree Road, and from its regional offices in Portland, Mandeville, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.