In the heart of Central Village, St Catherine, a small revival church has been quietly transforming lives for more than a decade through an annual summer school programme that has become a lifeline for children and families in the community.
At a time when many inner-city communities face social and economic challenges, the summer programme hosted by Born Again Mystic Deliverance Ministry at 21 Russell Avenue stands as a beacon of hope, education and mentorship.
Each summer, the church grounds come alive with the sounds of children learning, playing and building friendships. From toddlers taking their first steps into structured learning to teenagers preparing for major examinations, the programme caters to children between the ages of three and 18, attracting as many as 40 participants annually.
Running from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the programme combines academics, mentorship and recreational activities, with lessons delivered by teachers and young adults, some of whom were once students in the programme themselves.
For more than 10 years, the initiative has provided hundreds of children with a productive and nurturing environment during the summer months while helping them prepare for the upcoming school year.
A Vision Born from Personal Experience
The programme was founded by English teacher Crystal Smith, whose own life experiences inspired her commitment to mentoring young people.
Smith, who has been teaching for almost nine years, grew up in Central Village and attended school in the community. Her childhood was marked by significant challenges.
“I did not grow up with my mother or my father; I never knew my mother and my father died when I was eight,” she recalled.
Smith said she spent much of her childhood moving between households and family members.
“I’m a true testament of teachers, mothers and mentors who took the time to invest in me and mentor me,” she said. “What better way is there to give back?”
The idea for the programme was born in 2014 while Smith was a student at Shortwood Teachers’ College.
During a weekend visit home, she attended a choir rehearsal at the church and found herself deeply moved by a group of children between the ages of six and 14.
“I turned to the leader of the church, Chief Apostle Dr Suzette Green Elliston, who was present at the rehearsal and said, ‘Aunty Sue, give me them nuh’,” Smith recalled.
The response came immediately.
“‘Tek dem nuh,’ she said.”
What began as informal mentorship through choir activities soon expanded into Friday evening sessions focused on spiritual growth, homework assistance and academic support.
As the students grew older, Smith organised study groups and enlisted fellow teachers-in-training to help them prepare for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
The church even hosted its first all-night CSEC study marathon.
In 2015, Smith launched the church’s first summer school programme. The same group of students later became the subject of her final research project while she was completing her studies at teachers’ college.
Creating a Legacy
The impact of those early efforts became evident as the first cohort of students achieved unprecedented academic success within the church community.
Smith said the group became the first set of young people in the church to pass large numbers of CSEC subjects, creating a culture of achievement that continues today.
Many former participants have since gone on to become teachers, a psychologist, tertiary students and other professionals.
Several have returned to assist with the programme that helped shape their lives.
“Some of them are currently the ones helping to keep the summer school afloat,” Smith said.
The programme’s reputation has continued to grow, with many students crediting it for improving their understanding of challenging subjects.
Some participants have even told Smith they encountered lessons during the school year that they had already covered during summer school.
Beyond academics, the programme also hosts a sports day, career day and an awards ceremony, recognising students for academic performance, discipline, punctuality and helpfulness.
“It is definitely more than just teaching academics,” Smith said.
For many parents, the programme offers an affordable alternative to summer classes elsewhere. The contribution requested from parents is significantly lower than fees charged by many schools, and the funds collected are reinvested into certificates, prizes and activities for participants.
Looking to the Future
Known affectionately throughout the church as ‘Aunty Crystal’, Smith hopes the programme will continue long after her lifetime.
Her ultimate dream is to establish a dedicated educational institution in Central Village that would provide year-round academic support and mentorship for children.
“The church is the only building we have right now, so to have its own building in Central Village would be amazing,” she said.
Smith envisions the initiative expanding beyond summer activities to provide weekend programmes, homework assistance and intervention support for struggling students.
She believes such opportunities can help steer young people away from negative influences and create pathways to success.
“Who knows?” she said. “This building will become like an official school with a principal (me), teachers and all kinds of staff.”
For now, Smith remains grateful for the opportunity to serve her community through a programme that began with a simple desire to help a handful of children.
More than a decade later, that vision continues to impact lives from inside a modest revival church in Central Village, proving that meaningful change can begin in even the smallest of places.