Nathan Roper / Our Today
News JAM|Jul 5, 2025
Chinese Embassy pledges continued support to E.I.G.H.T. special needs school
Graduates Shmu’El Holtz and Andre Wynter, along with principal of the Earnest Institute for the Gifted, Hyperactive and Talented Natasha Russell and Chinese Charge d’Affaires, Yang Xiaorong, at the school’s graduation on Thursday, July 3, 2025 (Photo: Olivia Hutchinson/OUR Today)
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jamaica has announced its intention to continue supporting the operations of the Earnest Institute for the Gifted, Hyperactive and Talented (E.I.G.H.T).
This declaration was made by Chinese charge d’affaires Yang Xiaorong during the E.I.G.H.T grade six graduation ceremony on Thursday (July 3).
Moving on to high school were students Shmu’El Holtz and Andre Wynter, both of whom expressed their gratitude and thankfulness for E.I.G.H.T and the positive impact it had on their lives.
Principal of the Earnest Institute for the Gifted, Hyperactive and Talented, Natasha Russell (SOURCE: Olivia Hutchinson, OUR Today)
The Earnest Institute for the Gifted, Hyperactive, and Talented was founded by its principal, Natasha Russell in 2020, being designed as a school purpose-built for children with dyslexia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a mixture of all three.
Russell went on to say operations had been a struggle, often necessitating sacrifice and patience. However, she was pleased by the support that she continued to receive from outside sources, primarily the Chinese government.
“Our job here is to support and nurture students however we can,” the principal declared. “It is unpredictable, it is chaotic, but we enjoy it. This school started out of pocket, and eventually, as you keep growing, and you have to keep repairing, you run out of funds. But then you get friends like the Chinese Embassy, who will visit and donate.”
Xiaorong explained that the Chinese government had long taken an interest in the development of E.I.G.H.T, moving in to assist after Russell reached out to them.
Yang Xiaorong speaking during the E.I.G.H.T grade six graduation ceremony on July 3rd (SOURCE: Olivia Hutchinson, OUR Today)
“The Chinese Confucius Institute began to teach the Chinese language at E.I.G.H.T not too long after its establishment, from the very beginning of 2023,” she said. “It’s not easy to run and manage a special education programme. The Chinese Embassy, therefore, has strived to provide any possible assistance.”
Chinese efforts have focused heavily on cultural exchange, with plans being made to facilitate future trips to China for E.I.G.H.T students in addition to the learning of Mandarin.
Lianxin (translated as ‘heart connection’) Hall, the main space of the E.I.G.H.T institute, located at 143 King’s Street, Kingston (OUR TODAY photo/Olivia Hutchinson)
Xiaorong went on to say that though E.I.G.H.T was thus far the only school to receive this attention from the Chinese embassy, her nation’s government was more than happy to expand operations to other willing institutions.
“The embassy always pays attention to grassroots efforts in Jamaica, so the assistance provided by donating and teaching, and giving opportunities for students to be exposed to Chinese events and the possibility to even visit and get scholarships is fulfilling. This initiative starts with E.I.G.H.T, but we are very happy to conduct more such cooperations with other primary and high Schools in Jamaica.”
Autism
China
Confucius Institute
Earnest Institute for the Gifted
Embassy of People's Republic of China in Jamaica
Jamaica
mandarin tutoring
Natasha E. Russell
