YOUNG men from the community of Nannyville Gardens in Kingston, determined to keep children in the community in school, have formed themselves into a group called Ballers INC and are raising funds to help parents and under-resourced institutions in the area.

The main fund-raising activity is a monthly entertainment event, dubbed Liquid Splash, from which part proceeds go towards helping the students.

The first beneficiaries of the programme are five students from Nannyville Early Childhood Institution, whose schools fees were on Tuesday paid in full by the group. A television set and DVD player were also handed over to the school during a presentation ceremony. Sections of the building were renovated by the men.

“Instead of sitting around and waiting for help to come we from the community came together to form the Ballers INC to see how best we can address some of the problems in the area,” said Omar Stanley, a member of the group.

“Our aim is to address as many problems at the institution as possible,” Dwayne Virgo, another group member, interjected.

He wants corporate Jamaica to come on board.

“We need the support, we need Corporate Jamaica to help this worthy cause to help the youth who are the future of the community,” Virgo said.

Nicole Sterling, principal of the school, told the Jamaica Observer, that the entire school community welcomed the men’s efforts.

“Parents are struggling to send their children to school. Last year some parents did not send their children to school for the entire term…,” Sterling said.

Meanwhile, residents have commended the men for the “bold” initiative.

“It is not every time you see a group of young men making such positive strides forward and I just want to encourage them to continue,” said one woman who identified herself only as Shirley.