ELECOMMUNICATIONS firm LIME is slated to host its fifth staging of the back-to-school event, LIME Skool Aid.

From its commencement in 2010, LIME has contributed over $250 million to the project, which has assisted over 300,000 Jamaicans.

In 2014, though, the company will expand their efforts, and host three smaller back-to-school events through partnership with the Social Development Commission (SDC). These events will occur in St James, St Elizabeth and Clarendon on August 2, 10 and 16 respectively.

The main affair will take place at the JamWorld Showground in Portmore on Sunday, August 24 this summer.

The annual event usually receives 40,000 to 50,000 supporters who enjoy the array of free services. Such services include: routine medical checks, immunisations, optical checks, dental examinations and cleaning, barbering and hair consultancy services.

In addition to these benefits, the students may also enjoy stories offered to them by leaders from various sectors. An enormous amusement park, live entertainment and huge discounts on school supplies will also be offered; scholarships and gifts including tablets and laptop computers to selected students. Also, over 5,000 LIME backpacks may be given to students through a ticketing system subsequent to entry.

While speaking with teenAGE at the event’s press release, Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna, spoke about her expectations for the event. She hopes the project will have wide-ranging benefits for not only the students, but also their parents, and by extension, the community at large. Minister Hanna not only expects the project to tend to the physical needs of the children going back to school, but to also help with their emotional well-being. She also stated that:

“Every child wants to feel loved. Every child wants to feel a sense of belonging. Every child wants to feel like they are ready to go back to school…”

LIME’s other partners include The Jamaica Library Service, the National Library of Jamaica, the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and other corporate entities and professionals, along with dental and medical practitioners, and members of the entertainment fraternity.

— Gabrielle McDowell and Aldane Walters