Come next March, the five twins of Kerry-Ann Anderson and her other two children will be enrolled at the Hydel Group of Schools, free of cost, from nursery stage through high school.

Anderson, who shared her story in the Jamaica Observer last Sunday, had much to rejoice about last week when president of the prestigious institution, Hyacinth Bennett, reached out and offered full tuition scholarships to all 10 of her children.

What would have cost the mother an average of $200,000 each per school year in tuition fees for all the children to attend the privately run institution, will cost her nothing, except bus fare and lunch money.

At Sunday Observer calculations, the value of the scholastic undertaking by the group of schools, including allowances for tuition fee escalation, is around $16 million.

The mother and children were specially invited to the school on Friday where they were greeted by the staff and students with songs of welcome during their morning devotion. Overwhelmed by the ceremonious occasion, Anderson was at a loss for words.

“Mi cyah even talk. Everybody mi tell happy fi mi because dem say Hydel is a good school. It mek mi feel great say somebody can see di story and help me out. This a big, big opportunity for dem.”

The mother said her daughter, Angel Cameron, who is about to sit the PEP examination, is especially glad to be attending a new school.

“She cyah wait fi next month come. She say ‘mummy, a step up school’ and she say di pickney dem friendly.”

Bennett, who contacted the Sunday Observer to get in touch with the family, explained that she was moved by Anderson’s story.

“When I read the story in the Observer on Sunday, tears came to my eyes. I decided that I would offer all the children full scholarships here at Hydel because regardless of a child’s socio-economic bracket, there is always a place here for any child”.

Bennett announced that as of March 4, the children will be enrolled at the school, including the two youngest set of twins who are only six months old and two years old, respectively.

Principal of Hydel Ann Bell said that there is a nursery and an infant school that is happy to receive the young children.

“We are elated to be having the family with us. It’s 10 of them and we are going to be accommodating all of them.”

The good news, however, did not end there. Bennett further announced that Anderson has been offered a position on the school’s ancillary staff.

“Since all the children will be coming here, I will give her employment on the school compound. So as of March, the mother will also be employed at Hydel Group of Schools.”

Incidentally, the issue of employment was also a concern for Anderson, who explained that because of having to stay home with the children who are not yet in school, their early enrolment at Hydel benefits not only their future, but her future as well.

“Is better mi send dem because dem get scholarship and mi cyah turn it back. And because dem never did a guh school already, and mi did have fi stay home wid dem, it better fi me.

She further explained that since her story broke, an outpouring of support as well as some criticisms have come her way. However, the mother said she is focused now on getting her children ready to enrol at a new school.

“Mi just glad fi di opportunity. Di school fee a di main ting, which dem already get and me can get di bus card, so it reasonable fi dem take di yellow bus (JUTC). And mi still would a find dem lunch money same way.

Anderson explained, however that, two of the children will be completing the school term at their current schools because one of them, Mario Cameron, a long-distance runner, is about to compete overseas, and her youngest son and twin, Alphanso Barnes is already receiving aid to attend school from a community outreach project in Denham Town, Sarah’s Children.

Father of the first five children, and taxi operator, Andrew Cameron said he was happy for the assistance, and gave sound words for parents who struggle to support their children.

“Mi thank father God for this help, and I appreciate Hydel school for doing this for them. Mi want tell everybody is better you stay beside your kids and take care a dem because a God blessing dat.”