The sun was not out in its usual force yesterday at FLOW’s annual back-to-school fair, dubbed ‘FLOW Skool Aid’. There was even a sprinkling of rain, but hundreds of parents who braved the weather were determined to take advantage of the last-minute goodies on offer.

The event, which was staged at Jamworld in Portmore, St Catherine, started at 10:00 am and provided a range of free medical services for students, including dental, optical, general check-up.

Parents and guardians who were seen queuing up in lines and sitting and waiting patiently, expressed gratitude to FLOW, while noting that the services were of great assistance to them and their children.

Andrea Gordon from Portsmouth in Portmore, who brought her three children along with her six young neighbours for their medicals, said she could not miss the fair.

“This save me a lot ’cause it would a cost me $2,000 or more to do dem medicals,” she said, noting that she wanted to take advantage of the other medical services but would be bypassing them because of the long lines.

John Edwards from Mahoe Drive in Kingston, who was seen inside one of the dental booths waiting on his daughter, Yocanda, while her teeth were being cleaned, said: “I am here to get her teeth cleaned and check-up, and do everything.

“Some of the things that poor people can’t afford you can get it done here right now for free. This is a very good promotion and right now I can say that FLOW a lead,” he said, adding that his son was also present and would be making use of some of the services.

Another woman, Marcia Campbell, who was out with her two children, expressed similar sentiments, but along with several others were unhappy that that children above age 12 would not be able to get their teeth cleaned.

“It’s a very good thing that they are doing ’cause a once a year them teeth clean ’cause me can’t afford it. A $4,500 it start,” she said. “But it disappoint me now ’cause my son a 15 and from last year him teeth nuh clean.”

A dental volunteer told the Jamaica Observer that the dental team could only tend to the smaller children as their teeth were easier to clean. But at the same time, she said persons above 12 would receive dental examinations and referrals, if necessary, for their local health centres.

In addition to the medical services, children also received free backpacks with stationery, haircuts, hair consultation and hair treatment.

Several companies were also on hand with their booths offering discounts on services and much-needed information. They included the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, HEART Trust/NTA, Sangster’s Book Stores, the National Youth Service, the Jamaica Diabetic Association, Jamaica AIDS Support For Life, and the Child Development Agency.

The annual event was staged at cost of $80 million, adding to the $400 million that has already been spent by the telecommunications giant since the initiative kicked off in 2010.