MONTEGO BAY, St James — Over 250 students with special needs across the western region were recently feted by American non-profit organisation Love United International at a fun day filled with games, lots of treats, and other activities at the Montego Bay Learning Centre.

Those who benefitted from this initiative are enrolled at the Westmoreland-based Llandilo School of Special Education and its two branches, the Lucea Learning Centre and the Montego Bay Learning Centre. The institution caters to individuals with intellectual disabilities at moderate to severe levels, at ages ranging from six to 21 years.

Although some students were unable to physically attend the day of activities prepared by the non-profit organisation, those in attendance kick-started the day with a devotional exercise led by volunteers of the Atlanta-based organisation. The students, with much encouragement from the organisers, then “let loose to have fun” on the bounce-about and trampoline that were provided for them, while others took their talents to the dance floor.

The cotton candy and popcorn machines were also a favourite among students who joined the line multiple times to satisfy their sweet tooth. After lunch was served, each student was presented with backpacks among other stationery items for the upcoming school year in September. Toys were also handed out to keep them occupied during the summer break.

Principal of the institution Roy Reid was ecstatic when he spoke to the Jamaica Observer West during the fun day which was held last Thursday. Noting that this is the first time that many of his students have benefitted from an initiative of this nature, Reid thanked the Love United International volunteers for their selflessness and support.

“Initiatives like these are wonderful because our [students’] parents are usually from the lower socio-economic bracket and so they are hesitant to invest heavily in the special needs children. Love United is one of those initiatives that has a special place in the lives of people who are at-risk. We have to give a big applause to them because they identified us and they have stuck with us over the years,” the principal told the Observer West.

“We are very grateful for this and I am sure the parents are as well,” he added.

Tasha-Gaye Palmer also echoed this sentiment. The woman’s young son, Tyrell Thompson, is a grade one student at the Montego Bay Learning Centre.

“I think it is a great initiative what the Love United foundation is doing for the children here today and we really look forward to future engagements like this. It is of tremendous benefits. The backpacks and the back-to -school supplies will help as a lot of parents cannot afford it, so I think it bridges a gap because that is a deterrent for many students,” the mother explained.

She also welcomed the fellowship that was provided to the students by the volunteers, while pointing out that these students were excited to be around their village once more after being subjected to two years of virtual learning activities.

“I think that is awesome. You have some kids who are not coming from a Christian background, so at least when they are together like this they get to worship. The volunteers are setting a pretty good example,” she said.

Credited for cementing this connection with the non-profit organisation in 2019 is teacher at the Montego Bay Learning Centre, Simone McKayle. The Observer West learned that it was through McKayle’s love and devotion to the children enrolled at the special education institution that the Love United International family were asked to visit the school in that very year.

The teacher stated that she kept in touch with the group despite the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic forcing them to postpone other plans to visit the students. Now as the Love United International visits the institution a second time, she continued, students of all three campuses will be able to participate in different skilled areas with the donation of well-needed supplies.

McKayle thanked the president of non-profit organisation, Shellyann Watson for stepping in to assist the under-privileged school.

“Seeing that we are lacking in that area and wanted to extend our programme beyond the classroom because we want to get the kids ready for the transitioning world out there, she asked us what we needed and we told her. They planned to come in 2020 but due to COVID-19 they couldn’t, but they are here now and we are so grateful to have formed a partnership with Love United,” McKayle said.

She continued, “So coming back into new school year, our skill areas will be up and running. We have agriculture, home economics, handy craft… those are the different skills that we teach the children here.”

Among the items donated to the school were craft-making machines, sewing machines, T-shirt printing devices and stationery items.

Watson, a member of the Jamaican diaspora, said that she was thrilled to assist the special education institute and its students as she, too, has a loved one who is categorised as special needs.

“I also have a disabled brother who suffered brain damage due to medical malpractice. Because of that, there is a passion for this school because I look at my brother and wish somebody would just love him and treat him with kindness,” she explained.

“When we came to this school in 2019, I promised them that I would be back but due to COVID-19, I wasn’t able to. Despite this, I made sure that everything that they asked me for, I provided because there is something about this school that I fell in love with. When you look at the children, you want to help them,” Watson added.

Promising to continue partnering with the institution, Watson said she is proud to assist the students with these essential items.

“As a born Jamaican, I know first-hand of the struggles that are faced by many parents while trying to provide for their children, so I really wanted to come in and help as much as I can…just to help to fill the gap. I wanted to be sure that at least a book bag is not something that these parents have to worry about at the end of the year,” she told the Observer West.