The Haile Selassie High School, in St. Andrew, is to receive a donation of $600,000 from His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, grandson of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Haile Selassie.

Announcement of the donation was made on Friday (April 22), at the annual Founder’s Day event, which was held on the lawns of the institution.

The occasion, included a large gathering of the Rastafarian community, Government officials, and popular entertainers, who performed for the visiting delegation, led by the Prince.

Also, at the event, His Imperial Highness was presented with the Keys to Kingston, by Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew, Councillor Dr. Angela Brown Burke.

In his address, the Prince said since his arrival on the island, he has been feeling the love of the people of Jamaica, and “today has been the highlight of it.”

“I am very blessed to witness this day – and what fruit it has borne since,” he said, while commenting on the academic achievements of students who have graduated from the institution, and its successes in the sporting arena.

The Prince said his grandfather sponsored scores of Ethiopian children, as “His Majesty saw education as an advancement; we weren’t his only children – there are many Ethiopians who he sent abroad to study, (and) they all started out from humble backgrounds.”

“So, his vision and foresight has extended to Jamaica…continue learning throughout your life,” he encouraged the students.

Principal of the school, Lorenzo Ellis, said the funds will be used in the building programme, while, adding that members of the Prince’s delegation had advised him that they will be contacting other persons in Ethiopia to contribute to the school.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who is also Member of Parliament for South West St. Andrew, said the gift of the school has enabled many persons to serve in high positions, in Jamaica, and across the globe.

Prince Ermias, and his spouse, Princess Saba Kebede, are on the island to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Haile Selassie’s 1966 visit to Jamaica, during which time he broke ground for the school.

Source: Jamaica Information Service