ROUND HILL, Hanover - Gregory Wint, the National Director for SOS Children's Villages Jamaica has lauded the Rose Hall Development Company for its contribution to the development of the facility, particularly over the past two years.

Wint said since 2010 the company has donated more than $7 million to its Barrett Town, St James, facility. This he noted was done through monies raised from the company's annual fund raiser, the Rose Hall Holiday Ball.

"We are extremely grateful to Rose Hall Development for their overwhelming support over the many years. And I would like to mention in particular Mrs Michele Rollins who is an outstanding ambassador for SOS," said Wint.

He was speaking a the SOS Children's Villages Awards Ceremony held at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas last week Wednesday.

He told the gathering which included former prime minister PJ Patterson, that through the collaborative efforts between the SOS Children's Villages and Rose Hall Development Company a

slew of programmes have been implemented at the Barrett Town village.

"Through the effort we have implemented programmes such as our reading programme, extra lessons, spanish and math classes, Karate lessons, homework programme,tennis lessons, music lessons and psychological counselling," the SOS director noted.

Several persons and organisations as well as members of staff were recognised for their outstanding service to the villages during the awards ceremony which also marked the 40th anniversary of the facility in Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Patterson in his address urged the gathering to encourage children to maximise their full potential.

"In times past there were certain professions that were chosen, lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses, pastors, engineers. But we must realise that for a society to prosper and to function effectively, other skills are needed as well. Every role in the development of our society is important," he emphasised.

The former prime minister also stressed the importance of leading by example.

"We have to lead the children by example. Children follow what they see and they learn from it," said Patterson.

SOS Children's Village started four decades ago at Barrett Town, St James, with three family houses.

Another village was later added in Stony Hill, St Andrew which now has 27 family houses. There are also a preparatory and basic school in Kingston, as well as a kindergarten institution.

The schools, Wint noted, provide educational services not only for the children in SOS Villages but for those living in communities where the institutions are located.