'Miss Mama' gets a big hug from grandson Amworth 'Abu' Smith. - photo by Carl Gilchrist

The exact date is unclear but some time in the 1950s, Miss Adlin Pinnock, and her daughter, Veronica Green, were at home in Harrison Town, St Ann, with nothing to do. Then a thought hit her.

"I'm going to start a school," she said to herself. She had no training or prior experience but the urge was too great to resist.

She mentioned it to her daughter who thought it was a wonderful idea.

So the two gathered coconut bows (leaves) and made a thatch in her yard. Word soon got around the community about the school. On the first day, six students turned up.

And that was the start of what is now known as the Great Pond Basic School.

Pinnock, affectionately called 'Miss Mama', is now retired.

Recent birthday

On Thursday, March 12, she celebrated her 100th birthday, joining a seemingly growing list of St Ann residents who are centenarians.

On the day the school held a special ceremony to honour her.

On Saturday, March 14, it was time for her relatives from home and abroad to celebrate, hosting a birthday party for her on the school compound. Scores of persons turned out to enjoy the music, the food and to give thanks for 100 years of life for a sweet, kind and goodly lady.

Pinnock spoke proudly about the early days of the school: "Mi neva have anything fi do an' mi and mi daughter get coconut bow and seh, mek we keep one little school; every day we get one (more student) cause the people dem know now seh mi a keep basic school, so dem come."

Soon the school had outgrown its space and it was shifted to the adjoining community of Great Pond. For over 15 years, Pinnock was the only teacher, working without a salary. The school fee was only a shilling per student and this went to cover operation expenses.

Her daughter, Veronica, who at the time operated a hairdressing parlour, would sometimes assist her after she finished working. But when she migrated it was Miss Mama who carried on alone.

According to her first grandson, businessman Amworth 'Abu' Smith, the school served other functions and was probably the first-ever day-care centre.

"To us it was like the first day- care because people who had to work and had nowhere to leave their kids would leave them there. Some of them leave them and never come back for years, too. Even adults who sometimes found themselves with nowhere to live, that's where they would be," said Smith.

Significant growth

Today, the school has four teachers and over 150 students.

Relatives, citing her outstanding contribution, want the institution named in honour of their beloved 'Miss Mama.'

Said Smith: "To really honour her, one of the best things is to name the school after her and I think it's about time, instead of waiting until she dies. We're going to be lobbying very hard for that. We've made representation to the councillor and MP and they promised us that they're going to take action."

Michelle Purchase, a past student of the school agreed.

"We're going to speak with the Ministry of Education to see if there is a procedure and even if it means getting a petition from the citizens we will do so," she said.