Our History

1985
American Ministries to the Deaf (AMD) purchased land in the St. Elizabeth (Top Hill) area in Jamaica and with the help of various deaf churches in America, began to build the Deaf Bible Church of Jamaica.

1986
Dawn (Rousch) Ricketts went as an AMD Missionary to Jamaica, and began searching for deaf children in the streets of Montego Bay. She opened a school for the deaf in her home and later used rented rooms as enrollment increased.

1990
Jamaica Ministries to the Deaf was formed as a subsidiary of AMD to facilitate the importation of supplies from America for JCSD.

1992
AMD and JMD purchased land in the mountains of the Eden District behind Montego Bay for the building of a residential school for the deaf.

1993-99
Work teams from America volunteer their time, labor and building supplies for construction of two-story dormitory, dining hall and provided Vacation Bible School programs for the students.

1996
JCSD officially opens as a residential school on September 23 with Mrs. Dawn Ricketts as principal/administrator, two full-time teachers, a dorm parent, maintenance man and 12 students.

1997-99
AMD continues with three main ministries, “Hearing Hearts” Magazine, Bible Correspondence Course, the Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf with a Student Sponsorship Program.

2000-2001
Student enrollment increases to 24 students; older students go into the community for work experience one day a week; Pastor Delroy Campbell becomes new School Administrator; Marcia Reid, appointed as new principal.

2000-2006
Volunteer work teams build three-unit classroom complex.

2004-2005
Student enrollment increases to 34 students. Start of AMD’s new 5-year building plan for staff quarters at JCSD.