From homeless teenager to woman of faith: Latoya Shea’s bold vision to build a christ-centred school for Jamaica’s most vulnerable children

Today, the New York-based US Army veteran and nurse anaesthetist is pursuing a vision she believes was given to her by God: building a 100-acre Christian educational campus in St Elizabeth that would provide free education, housing and opportunity for Jamaica's most vulnerable children. The ambitious project, Let There Be Light Christian Residential Academy (LTBL), aims to become far more than a traditional school. The Wolmer's High School for Girls alum envisions a Christ-centred educational ecosystem serving children from Pre-K through Grade 12, combining Jamaica's academic curriculum with international best practices while preparing students for careers in robotics, health sciences, agriculture and digital media.

"Our curriculum will be a hybrid of Jamaica's strong academic standards paired with international best practices, so every graduate is prepared to compete globally," Shea said. The academy would operate through three distinct pathways. A residential restoration programme would provide completely free education, accommodation and care for orphaned, homeless and other vulnerable children through graduation.

A boarding programme would accommodate students from across Jamaica and overseas, while a traditional day-school option would serve children from surrounding communities. For Shea, the mission is deeply personal. After experiencing homelessness as a teenager, she says she discovered a relationship with God that transformed the trajectory of her life.

"I finally accepted my calling as God's vessel to do good and guide many back to Him as a spiritual life coach," she said. She believes the foundation for LTBL was laid during a spiritual experience in 2020. "The Lord first told me He was going to use me to show His people His love, and He has been confirming it ever since," she said.

"After our back-to-school drive at Emancipation Park, I heard Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. From now on, everything you do should be called Let There Be Light.'" That conviction eventually evolved into a broader vision for education. According to Shea, the project will integrate faith, academics and practical life skills while equipping students for an increasingly technology-driven world.

The proposed campus would include not only classrooms but also agricultural facilities, health services and residential accommodati…