Celebrating Success: The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project in Jamaica

Dear Generous Supporters,

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you! The Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project is now complete, and it wouldn't have been possible without your incredible support and contributions. Your generosity has made a profound impact on the lives of those in the Hayfield community, and we are forever grateful for your dedication to this cause.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought us here:

Project Beginnings: The idea for the Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project was born in 2019 when I was living in Jamaica as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Collaborating with the teachers at Hayfield Primary and Infant School, the first draft of the project proposal was written, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with mobility challenges in the community.

Navigating Through the Pandemic: As we embarked on this endeavor, the world was facing unprecedented challenges with the pandemic. In March 2020, the Peace Corps evacuated volunteers in Jamaica and the project was put on hold. Despite the obstacles, my determination remained unwavering and in August 2021, no longer with the Peace Corps, I decided to resume the project. My brother Lance and I traveled to Jamaica that month to lay the groundwork for this ambitious initiative. Blueprints for the project were drawn up by architect Phil, who, as fate would have it, attended Hayfield Primary and Infant school when he was younger.

Boise Community Support: Our commitment to raising funds for the project was met with tremendous enthusiasm from the Boise community and beyond. In September 2021, we started the fundraiser with a bake sale and the Boise Ultimate Scene showed us tremendous support. The generosity didn't end there, the following month of November was the Boise Brewing fundraiser, which included beer sales and a raffle, and further bolstered our efforts.

Overcoming Challenges: As with any project of this scale, we encountered a few setbacks along the way. The heavy rain on January 31, 2022, disrupted the casting for the retaining wall foundation. Coupled with rising costs for building materials and supply chain disruptions, the price of the project continued to increase. However, with resilience and perseverance, we continued to make progress.

Collective Effort: A crucial aspect of this journey was the support we received from various organizations. Carib Cement generously donated 60 bags of cement, valued at over $500 USD. Additionally, the Friends of Jamaica grant awarded on February 16, 2022, provided much-needed financial assistance. But the heart of this project was the collective effort of countless individuals like you, who contributed a total of $17,814 through donations.

Triumph and Completion: Finally, the hard work and dedication culminated in the completion of the project. A 120-foot-long and 6-foot-deep retaining wall, a ramp stretching over 180 feet in length and 5 feet in width, and a safety fence along the perimeter were successfully installed. We broke ground on the project January 2022, finished the ramp in July 2022, and the fence was installed shortly after.

Impact and Gratitude: The impact of the Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project on the local community cannot be overstated. The improved accessibility empowers individuals with mobility challenges, allowing them to move more freely and participate in various activities.

We have accomplished something truly remarkable together, and we owe it all to your unwavering support, belief, and contributions. The total amount raised, including grants and donations, reached an impressive $19,314, which exceeded our expectations and enabled us to make this project a reality. Every dollar donated went directly towards the project, paying for the supplies and labor that it took to make this massive infrastructure project into a reality.

As we conclude this phase of the project, let us take a moment to celebrate the positive change we have brought to the lives of those in need. Your generosity has left an indelible mark on the Hayfield community, and we couldn't be prouder of what we have achieved together.

A special thank you to Justin from ProEx productions who helped to create content for the campaign and was a source of motivation from the beginning. We couldn’t have done the project without the help from St. Thomas Renaissance Foundation, especially with Travis going above and beyond. Thanks to Mathew at Ras Kitchen for raising awareness about our project by featuring it on his YouTube channel. A big shout out to the community of Hayfield and Castle Hill for working on the project, and big up Mr. and Mrs. Dean for hosting us while we were in the community working.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. We will forever cherish the memories we have made, and we look forward to sharing more successes with you in the future.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Joel Matheson

Hayfield Accessibility Ramp Project Organizer