Phase 1 of the Restoration Project was completed in 2009, which entailed the construction of a new wall & entrance along Waltham Park Rd. and increasing the height of the remaining perimeter walls.
Phase 2 began in earnest in June 2012, and seeks to accomplish the following:-
- Restore all 3,200 graves in the cemetery. ...nearly 500 graves have been restored by the end of 2013. View Album
- Re-surface all internal roads. …All the main roads re-paved, along with several "minor" ones.
- Demolish the previous Caretaker's home and construct a new reinforced concrete dwelling with bathroom facilities, bedroom, storeroom, etc. …New Caretaker now in residence.
- Concrete between graves where feasible to prevent the weeds from ever springing up again & overwhelming the graves.
- Create a Columbarium by renovating an existing large tomb abandoned by its previous owners. …Work to commence shortly.
- Replace the missing Pavilion roof with a reinforced concrete one. …Design in progress.
- Hard & soft landscaping including asphalting (Barber-Greene surface) the driveway & parking area near the main courtyard.
For sustainability & maintenance continuity, we now have in place a permanent crew making sure the bushes do not get a foothold again anywhere, touching up the paint on graves where necessary, keeping the cemetery free of all debris, etc.
Needless to say, Phase 2 will be a very costly endeavour. The CBA will need all the help it can garner, monetary or otherwise, to accomplish this worthy task. We are beseeching each & every individual to make a contribution, however small, help us to restore OUR cemetery to an Institution of pride & joy, not only for the Chinese Community in Jamaica but overseas as well.
We owe it to our ancestors who migrated to Jamaica undergoing tremendous hardship to seek a better way of life for themselves and especially for their families. Our ancestors instilled in us the traditions and values of our Hakka culture, thus leaving a legacy for their children & future generations to follow.
We have a long way to go yet, but with your help, we will accomplish our mission. To donate Click Here
View sample "Before & After" photos
View sample designs of tombs and headstones, with costs.
View/download the Slideshow highlighting the work accomplished by Robert Lee
Continue to Gallery and Database
