FALMOUTH, Trelawny – It was with broad smiles and bubbling anticipation that 200 students from Falmouth in Trelawny received school items from the Poverty Alleviation Network (PAN) Inc last weekend.

The presentation was made at the Assemblies of Holiness Falmouth Community Church.

The PAN donation, which was valued at an estimated $150,000 saw each student receiving a school bag, folder leaves, crayons and glue, paper folders and two ring binders.

In addition, they each received a gift voucher valued at $600.

The Poverty Alleviation Network was formed two years ago through the efforts of Oklahoma businesswoman Noel Hailey and Jamaican Edward Wallace. Also forming a part of the Network is the Mid West City Chamber of Commerce, a number o faith-based organisations and private citizens.

PAN’s work will, over the next couple of months, extend beyond last Saturday’s donation. September will see them undertaking work under their Literacy Link initiative, while October is to see the launch of their Infant Care project, also in Oklahoma. In December they will refocus on Jamaica with the hosting of a Christmas food distribution programme for some of the island’s poor and elderly.