MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Mandeville Regional Hospital recently received three nebulisers from American International School of Kingston (AISK) students Gabrielle Morris and Valeria Cossich.

The twelfth-graders, ages 18 and 16, respectively, say the initiative came about because of a community project that’s part of their curriculum requirements.

The initiative, which was to raise funds to acquire one nebuliser for the Spanish Town Hospital, exceeded their expectations and the students were able to increase the number of nebulisers.

In total, they were able to purchase and donate seven nebulisers: Three to the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester; two to Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine; and two for the Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas.

“We just really appreciate how… easy it is to make a big change. We have learnt that all you need is to initiate something and to have motivation, know your goal and follow-up,” said Cossich.

Nebulisers are used to address respiratory issues.

The students decided to make health care the focus of the community project because Morris reportedly had respiratory challenges as a child, and Cossich has aspirations to one day become a physician.

The items are said to have cost approximately US$2,000.

The donation was possible, organisers say, through a project called #Kolor4theKids, where children did tie-dye shirts that were sold, and with support of primary sponsor, businesswoman Dr Ivanah Thomas.

Acting director of Nursing Services at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, matron Saidie Williams-Allen, said that the accident and emergency and paediatrics departments will benefit from the donation.

Dr Thomas, who is the proprietor of Fruitalicious Frozen Yogurt , which had a branch in Mandeville that is now closed, used the occasion to give an assurance that the store will soon be reopened at another location in the town.

— Alicia Sutherland