Surrounded by the spirit of youth and resilience—Water Lane Mural in downtown Kingston, celebrating the beauty and promise of Jamaica’s next generation.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Jamaica for my Grand Aunt Alva’s homegoing service. She lived to be 106 years old—a life filled with wisdom, love, and quiet strength. Her passing brought our family together in Mandeville, where we gathered to celebrate her remarkable life. While it was a solemn occasion, it was also a homecoming of sorts—an opportunity to walk the paths of my family’s past and reflect on the legacies that shaped who I am.
While in Jamaica, we spent a meaningful day in Oxford, Manchester—a rural farming community about 60 miles from the capital city of Kingston—where my father grew up. It was there that we retraced his roots, visited his childhood school, and honored the legacy he left behind.
Always a treat to visit Noisy River – Oxford, Manchester, JA – where the water sings and the vibes are unforgettable
One of the most meaningful stops was Comfort Hall All-Age School, where my father began his educational journey. As a boy, he would sit under the mango tree with his books, determined to make something of himself. One of the elders in the community, who knew him as a child, recalled, “He was different. Always studying. You could just tell he would go far.”
And he did.
My father would go on to complete his education in Kingston and graduate from the University of the West Indies, Mona, but he never forgot where it started. He often spoke of Comfort Hall with fondness and gratitude, and over the years, he supported the school through donations and supplies. After his passing in 2024, my brother established the Basil A. Jones Memorial Scholarship in his honor—because what better way to honor his memory than to invest in the future of the very place that shaped him.
While visiting the school, I was moved by their commitment to literacy. A large Reading Wall, proudly displayed on campus, showcases student work and learning activities that reflect their joy in reading and writing. Just above it, the school’s motto is painted across the upper balcony:
ENTER TO LEARN — LEAVE LITERATE
“Enter to Learn, Leave Literate” — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when education is rooted in purpose and community. Comfort Hall All-Age School, Oxford, Jamaica.
I stood in front of it, struck by how deeply it aligned with the work we do at Tanzania Development Support (TDS)—where literacy, particularly for girls in rural communities, is at the heart of our mission. In both Comfort Hall and Tanzania, literacy is not just an educational benchmark. It’s a pathway to equity, independence, and hope.
A wall that speaks volumes—showcasing student voices, creativity, and a love of reading at Comfort Hall All-Age School in rural Jamaica.My brother and I with the current Principal of Comfort Hall Primary School – Ms. Nicholson, thanking her for her dedication and commitment to young people and education, and her support in administering our father’s scholarship to deserving students
The journey didn’t end in Manchester. I later traveled to Kingston, where I visited my childhood school, Stella Maris Preparatory. While I didn’t get a chance to explore the grounds in full, just standing outside the gates brought back memories of school uniforms, morning assemblies, and the early seeds of curiosity that would shape my future.
A glimpse of my early beginnings—Stella Maris Preparatory School in Kingston, where my love for learning first took root.
This trip reminded me that education is more than a formal experience—it’s a deeply personal, cultural, and community-driven force. It shows up in the aunties who model lifelong learning. In the children proudly pointing to their work on a reading wall. In the mango trees that shaded my father’s dreams, and in every initiative I support that centers literacy, empowerment, and opportunity.
These places—and the people who shaped them—remind me why I do what I do.
About Renée Renée Jones is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Red Hills Consulting Group, where she leads strategic, operational, and transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex initiatives, Renée helps organizations turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Outside of work, she mentors emerging leaders and champions social-impact innovation. https://redhillsconsultinggroup.com
By Renée Jones | Board Member, Tanzania Development Support
This article was authored by Renée Jones, in her role as a Board Member of Tanzania Development Support (TDS). Red Hills Consulting Group is proud to support education equity and community-driven development.
In communities around the world, the ability to read and write is often taken for granted. Yet for many children in rural Tanzania—and in countless underserved regions globally—literacy is not a given. It is a life-altering milestone: the first step on the path to lifelong learning, economic empowerment, and social mobility.
Literacy Is the Gateway
Literacy is the first academic skill children must master, but its importance goes far beyond the classroom. A literate child becomes a confident learner. A literate girl is better equipped to understand her rights, navigate systems, and make informed decisions. A literate parent is more likely to support their child’s education, prioritize healthcare, and build economic stability for their family.
In essence: literacy unlocks everything.
In rural Tanzania, education can be a lifeline—but for most children, especially girls, it’s a path filled with barriers. Literacy is the first and most fundamental step on that path. Without the ability to read, students are locked out of every future opportunity—academic success, career mobility, civic participation, and more.
That’s why Tanzania Development Support (TDS)has made literacy a cornerstone of our work in the Mara region. From early reading programs to community-led Reading Circles, we are investing in the power of books to open minds and change lives.
“Reading is the fundamental tool of learning in the 21st century… whether it’s a book, a street sign, a grocery label, or a screen on the internet. Effective reading is the key to learning and understanding the world around us.”
📚 A “Center for Learning” in Rural Tanzania
The Madaraka Nyerere Library and Community Resource Center (LCRC) stands as a beacon of knowledge for the villages in the Musoma Rural area. Envisioned by community leaders as a kituo cha maarifa (“center for learning”), the LCRC houses one of the largest collections of books by African authors in Swahili in any community library in the country.
Since its construction in 2016, the LCRC has evolved into a hub for educational innovation. In 2019, we expanded its infrastructure with internet connectivity and open-source digital library tools, enabling access to global learning even in areas without power.
Yet the heart of this work is not the technology—it’s the people and programs.
📖 Reading Circles: Building a Culture of Literacy
Launched in April 2025, Reading Circles are one of the LCRC’s most vibrant literacy efforts. These community-led sessions bring students, teachers, and volunteers together to read aloud, ask questions, and share stories.
Each week, children gather across Musoma Rural—under mango trees and in classrooms—to experience the joy of books.
“Just seeing these photos made my heart sing. I truly believe this experience is going to change students’ lives and transform education in this part of the world!” — Dr. Andrea Trudeau, TDS Board Member
Thanks to Andrea’s leadership and a generous $2,000 fundraising effort, hundreds of children now benefit from this program. Special thanks to Joyce, Moses, and Fr. Otieno, who are leading efforts on the ground.
“Creating a reading culture in Musoma Rural schools and villages will pay dividends for generations to come.”
👶 Early Literacy: Laying the Foundation
Alongside Reading Circles, the LCRC runs two early reading programs that collectively reach over 100 children annually:
Pre-Primary Reading Program (ages 3–5): A half-day experience introducing numbers, letters, and storytelling.
Early Reading Program: In partnership with Nyegina Primary School, this supports children who need additional help with reading.
Together, these programs build skills, spark curiosity, and nurture confidence.
💡 Literacy Is Power
In a world where access to information defines opportunity, literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. For the students of Musoma Rural, it’s the bridge to a future where they can lead, contribute, and thrive.
At TDS, we believe literacy transforms lives. And we thank every teacher, volunteer, donor, and advocate helping us turn this belief into action.
About Renée Renée Jones is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Red Hills Consulting Group, where she leads strategic, operational, and transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex initiatives, Renée helps organizations turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Outside of work, she mentors emerging leaders and champions social-impact innovation. https://redhillsconsultinggroup.com
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