MONTEGO BAY, St James — OVER 200 students from across western Jamaica who are dependents of employees of Western Parks and Markets (WPM) Waste Management Limited, a division of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, were the beneficiaries of back-to-school supplies courtesy of the agency last week.

The students received bags, writing materials and textbooks during the event that was held at the WPM’s Freeport, Montego Bay, office.

A doctor was also on site to provide free medical checks as part of the day’s activities.

Acting regional operations manager at WPM Dramaine Jones said the agency is cognisant of the challenging times employees are experiencing, particularly in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“We looked at it and the staff, they have been through a lot over the last two years — in some instances reduced hours. We really didn’t lay off anyone and we have been trying at all times to see how best…to show our appreciation to the staff that is on the ground carrying out the function of waste collection across western Jamaica,” Jones explained.

“We decided to seek donations and sponsorship to see if we could have a book fair. So, we solicited used literature books, we sought donations for items such as writing books, pencils, pens, that sort of stuff, just to assist our staff in getting their kids back out to school.”

The initiative was led by WPM’s staff welfare committee and, according to Jones, the move was in a bid to ensure that the staff knew that their contributions had not gone unnoticed.

“We use opportunities like these to show our appreciation, ensuring that the staff knows that the hard work that they have been doing, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Jones.

During the event staff members were also able to get a variety of medical checks done.

Throughout the day WPM employees turned up in their numbers, some with children, to benefit from the initiative. Route supervisor for downtown Montego Bay, Janet Reid expressed her gratitude shortly after her daughter, who attends the St James High School, received her school supplies.

“I feel very good about it and I am very appreciative. I got a backpack with textbooks; this is benefiting my daughter [as] she is attending St James High School,” she told the Jamaica Observer West.

Another employee, Dorcel Bowen-Thorpe, was happy that two of her children could benefit from the initiative, noting that “things have been challenging”.

“Mi feel happy. One attends Hopewell High and the other Sandy Bay Primary; things really, really challenging. The challenge hard, hard because the one who attends high school, one of his textbooks is for two thousand dollars,” said the sweeper from Sandy Bay.

Robert Leakey, another sweeper, who resides in Montego Bay, was also grateful.

He noted that the bags and books he received will go a long way in assisting his children as they head back to school at the start of the new academic year.