It was 11 years ago, in February 1999 to be exact, that Allen Temple AME Church pastor the Rev. Betty L. Furbert expanded her outreach ministry to include a reading programme at West End Primary School.

On a weekly basis she and her "Reading Ladies" as they have come to be known, visit the school to help nurture and assist in the development of students in classes P 1 and P2 with their reading.

"It is the social and maternal interaction that is paying dividends in the hugs, kind words and patience manifested, as brief as the classes are," stated Mrs. Brenda Pearman who has been a volunteer since the inception.

Pictured above in one of the classes are helpmates from left to right is Mrs. Anita Saltus, Pastor. Betty Furbert Woolridge, Mr. Livingston Tuzo, Principal of West End School, Mrs. Pearman, Coordinator for the Reading Programme, and Mrs. Rosemarie Brangman. Missing from this photo is Mrs. Clara Williams. Others named as devoted Helpmates over the 11 years who were thanked were Mrs. Gwendolyn Cann and Mrs. Rosemarie Burrows.