A breakfast programme initiated by the JN Circle Linstead Chapter is having a measurable impact on student attendance and well-being at Victoria Primary School in Clarendon, a rural institution located just outside the town of Linstead.

The initiative was introduced in November last year, shortly after schools reopened following the passage of a hurricane and was born out of discussions between JN Circle members and the school’s administration during Read Across Jamaica Day activities earlier in the academic year.

JN Circle Linstead Chapter President, Godfrey Marshall, said the idea emerged after the chapter sought to better understand the school’s challenges.

“At the end of Read Across Jamaica Day, we were having discussions with the principal about the strengths and weaknesses at the school,” Marshall said.

“When we spoke about the student population, especially on certain days, it came out that one of the contributing factors to low turnout was a breakfast situation, where some children were not getting breakfast.”

The matter was taken to the chapter’s executive, which agreed to support the school by sponsoring an additional day of breakfast beyond what is already provided through government assistance.

“We all bought into the idea as an executive body, reached out for sponsorship and decided to move forward with the programme,” Marshall said.

According to Principal Annette Steele, the impact was felt almost immediately.

“We started in November, just after the hurricane, and it has really impacted attendance,” Steele said. “Previously, we had children coming late or not coming at all because they hadn’t eaten. Now they can come by 7:30 am and get a hot meal, and that has really boosted our midweek attendance.”

She explained that breakfast typically includes items such as fried dumplings, sausage and a hot beverage, which students now look forward to each week.

“We realised that sometimes we underestimate who is really in need,” Steele added. “Even some children we thought were having breakfast actually weren’t. The programme has been tremendous, and we are very grateful to the JN Circle, Mrs Dennis and the team.”

Secretary of the JN Circle Linstead Chapter, Kareen Dennis, said the programme was made possible through modest but consistent support, despite the chapter’s small membership.

“When we saw the budget, we realised it didn’t take much to make a difference,” Dennis said. “By topping up items like flour, Milo and oil, the school could sustain an extra day of breakfast.”

Dennis noted that students often express excitement when volunteers visit and are eager to help, a response she says reinforces the importance of the initiative.

“When children are hungry, they can’t focus on learning,” she said. “Seeing their joy, their respect and their enthusiasm really motivates us to continue.”

Victoria Primary School, which serves approximately 250 students from grades one to six, has been part of the community since 1935 and continues to produce strong academic and cultural outcomes, despite its rural setting.

The JN Circle Linstead Chapter, which has about 10 active members, said it hopes to sustain the programme and eventually expand similar support to other schools within its catchment area.

“We’re really happy that we’re able to partner with one of our schools,” Marshall said. “The Linstead Chapter is proud to be impacting the community it serves and reaching our nation’s children.”