About Us

"What is Grandma's Hands Foundation?"

Grandma's Hands Foundation is a non-profit organization made to support the enrichment of several schools and programs in Jamaica, primarily the Sydenham Basic School. Through innovative educational systems, we provide resources and support that encourage children to find their purpose in life. Our mission is to create impactful programs that uplift communities and inspire hope in every child we serve.

Grandma’s Hands Foundation, Inc. was created in January of 2021. GHF was created exclusively as a resource for charitable, educational, community, and literary purposes.

The corporation aims to create an innovative educational system that helps children discover their purpose and achieve their goals. This system will promote spiritual growth, academic excellence, and a strong foundation in the arts and sciences. It will be housed in a state-of-the-art facility with a comprehensive curriculum, taught by dedicated professionals in a nurturing environment based on Biblical principles of self-control and unconditional love.

To ensure that the Foundation provides scholarships for feeding programs that will benefit children and their families, we will also offer scholarships for school supplies and other essential resources to support the educational needs of students and school professionals. In a 21st-century world where children face social and emotional challenges as well as food insecurity, Grandma’s Hands Foundation, Corp. aims to create opportunities that stimulate young minds and nurture future leaders.

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Founders & Leadership Team.

Our Founder, Daphne May Case (nee Thomas) was born on July 9th, 1933 to parents, Gadwin and Daisy Thomas in the parish of St. Catherine,Jamaica. The 4th of 12 children, Daphne attended Mount Nebo All Age School where she took and passed the first year exam. She accepted the Lord at a young age and attended and taught Sunday School at Mount Nebo Baptist Church in Guys Hill.

Because of her dedication to caring for the children and her effectiveness as a Sunday school teacher, Daphne was recommended by her pastor to teach the youth at the Church school. Thus, her career as an educator skyrocketed.

Despite being a young mother of six, undeterred, she pursued her career in early childhood education and later established the foundation for early childhood education with the opening of the Sydenham Basic School. Since then, her family have taken on the mantle to continue to grow and develop the youth of Sydenham Basic School and the youth in their communities.

President

Pastor Dwayne M.L. Case

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season
to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my
ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened my ear; And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.” Isaiah 50:4-5

Dwayne M. L. Case is a native of Spanish Town Jamaica and is the oldest of six children. He attended the Sydenham Basic school at a very young age and attributes his love of learning and passion for teaching to his first

teacher and beloved Grandma, Mrs. Daphne May Case. Dwayne fell in love with learning the Word of God and became a disciple of Jesus Christ at the Willowdene Church of Christ, Spanish Town, Jamaica on April 7,

1991.

Vice President

Pita Garth Case

Passionate about service and driven by purpose, Pita-Garth has dedicated his life to uplifting and empowering communities. With a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Trent University, Durham-GTA, he has consistently championed initiatives that foster inclusiveness, equity, and meaningful change.
A visionary leader, Pita-Garth played a pivotal role in organizing Trent University's second annual Black History Month Celebration—one of the institution's largest community events—bringing together government representatives, esteemed academics, and local
organizations to honor and celebrate Black excellence.

Chair

Diane M. Harris

Diane M. Harris is a seasoned business and administrative professional with over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and nonprofit leadership. Known for her exceptional ability to lead complex projects, negotiate high-value contracts, and enhance operational
efficiency, Diane has built a distinguished career grounded in integrity, innovation, and
service. Throughout her tenure with the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority and the Broward
County Aviation Department, Diane managed multimillion-dollar airport concession,
transportation, and retail programs—overseeing food and beverage, rental car, and passenger service operations. Her leadership in business development, compliance management, and customer experience initiatives has consistently elevated organizational
performance and community satisfaction.
Currently serving as Executive Assistant to the Board Chair and Executive Committee of the
Pleasant Grove Foundation, Inc., Diane provides executive-level support to the Foundation’s leadership and Dream Academy program. She facilitates board development, strategic planning, and fundraising initiatives that advance the organization’s mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Diane holds an MSc in Education (Training & Performance) from Capella University, an MBA
in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a
certification from the International Society for Performance Improvement in Training and Performance Improvement Management. Her career is characterized by a deep commitment to excellence, professional growth, and community engagement. Diane is a collaborative leader who values teamwork, lifelong learning, and leveraging innovation to achieve meaningful results.

Board Secretary

Davette Adesina supports the creative and communications work at Grandma’s Hands
Foundation. With a background in storytelling and digital design, she helps share the heart
behind the foundation’s mission to care for children and families at Sydenham Basic School in Jamaica. Her focus is on creating clear, thoughtful visuals and messages that reflect the foundation’s purpose.