SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland Students and staff of the Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland are hailing a school breakfast programme that sees the institution’s Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) in collaboration with the Savanna-la-Mar Baptist Church Women’s Federation providing meals for the institution five days per week.

The programme began in January with 20 students being served twice weekly, but has since grown to over 170 students receiving breakfast daily.

“From the guidance and counselling department, we really want to salute this great programme and we want to continue to encourage our students, because we know that when they are fed they will be more ready to learn,” Annette Saddler, one of the school’s guidance counsellors, told the Jamaica Observer West.

Duken Williams, another guidance counsellor, expressed similar sentiments.

“I believe that this programme is a very wonderful programme, because I have seen where a number of students come to school early. Before this programme was implemented, the students normally come to school very late, and so we have noticed that the students are now coming to school on time and with a purpose,” he argued.

Grade 11 student Terisha Bruce said, “I think it is a really good job, because most students don’t have breakfast at home and they come to school and most children cannot function on hungry belly.”

“I think it is a wonderful thing because most children don’t really have time to prepare breakfast at their home or maybe they have financial problems, so they come to school and eat, so they can get a good understanding in class to learn more,” added Nicolette Baker, another Grade 11 student.

The initiative has received recognition and support not only from members of staff and students, but from parents and the general public.

Among those who have supported the programme is the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) which donated pots, utensils, a stove and food items.

Other donors include the Westmoreland-based Tan Tan Pastry, Q’s Restaurant and Hammond’s Bakery.

The Florida/Bahamas Chapter of the Godfrey Stewart High Old Students’ Association has also assisted with a US$2,000 donation and has committed US$1,000 monthly towards the programme.

President of the school’s PTA Neville Wilson told the Observer West that the need for such a programme was brought to the attention of the association by several parents.

“And, when it was brought to the attention of the PTA, we saw the need and I approached the president of the Savanna-la-Mar Baptist Church Women’s Federation, and I spoke to her about getting some women to become involved and help with the breakfast. They did not hesitate, and they started in January,” said Wilson, who explained that the intention was to provide breakfast twice per week, “but it quickly grew to five days per week after the second week.”

Wilson, who is the Region Four National Parent Teachers’ Association chairman, said the feedback of the beneficiaries has been good.

“Since we started, we recognised that a lot of the students really enjoy the breakfast,” he stressed, adding that they are grateful.

Meanwhile, Williams is appealing to persons and organisations to contribute to the programme.

“This programme should continue, but for it to, we need more persons to come on board so that we can expand this programme so that more students can benefit from it ,” Williams argued.