As Education Week unfolds across the nation, the team at Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances Ltd (CFF) returned to Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School and End Time Basic School in recognition of Read Across Jamaica Day on Tuesday.

This was the third-consecutive year that the team from CFF was visiting these schools as part of what the company said is a demonstration of its ongoing pledge to uplift Jamaican children through literacy, creative engagement, and hands-on community involvement.

Throughout May, which is celebrated as Child Month, CFF is rolling out several activities dedicated to fostering early learning, emotional development, and academic curiosity among Jamaica’s youth.

This year the team from CFF engaged students in grades 1, 5 and 6 at Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High and across all age groups at End Time Basic School through lively read-aloud sessions, interactive storytelling, and question and answer segments with the promise of exciting prizes.

Each session was led by members of the CFF team, including special guest readers, who shared inspirational stories, and encouraged students to use their imagination through active engagement.

“At CFF, we believe that literacy is the key to unlocking self-worth, communication skills, and future opportunity. Participating in Read Across Jamaica Day is a natural fit for us, especially during Child Month when the national focus is on nurturing and safeguarding our youth. By returning to these schools, we’re showing our children that they’re not just seen — they’re celebrated. And that reading can be joyful, empowering, and transformative,” said Janice Lee, general manager of CFF.

Students also received gift bags packed with snacks from Kiss Baking Jamaica and other exciting prizes to reward their participation.

Dr Patricia Kinglocke-Findley, principal of Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School, expressed gratitude to the CFF team.

“It warms my heart to see the CFF team dedicate themselves to nurturing the minds of our children here at Cockburn Gardens annually. Early literacy development is critical. The habits we instill now shape our children’s confidence and ability to succeed later in life.

“That’s why initiatives like Read Across Jamaica Day are so important. When companies like Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances and the wider corporate Jamaica take part, it reminds our children that learning isn’t limited to the classroom and that their community, and corporate Jamaica believe in their future,” said Kinglocke-Findley

Sharing her thoughts on CFF’s involvement in this year’s initiative, Bayomi Tulloch-Paige, principal of End Times Basic School, said, “The students were fully engaged today and they loved today’s activities. Even after the event ended, they were still talking excitedly among themselves. While their literacy skills are fairly good, they sometimes need a little encouragement to push even further.

“An initiative like Read Across Jamaica really motivates them. And to help with their literacy skills we are now looking to launch a reading club in September. Beyond Read Across Jamaica, we also ensure our students engage with educational videos as part of our literacy efforts.”

With plans already in motion for next year, CFF remains committed to not only flavouring the region’s products, but playing the role of key ingredients in shaping the future of the nation’s children with hope, knowledge, and opportunity.