MONTEGO BAY, St James — Guided by input from school officials who have a clear idea which students are most in need of help ahead of the new school term, Excelerate Energy and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MBCCI) have handed out supplies and cash grants to more than 300 youngsters.

The donations were made to students from the early childhood, primary and secondary levels during a back-to-school fair held at Pier One in Montego Bay on Monday. This year’s staging took on added importance as the event was not held last year due to changes in the structure of Excelerate Energy; and was the first one the company and its partners have hosted since Hurricane Melissa.

“This means a lot to a parent [who] is able now to put resources elsewhere. This programme is not just picking a name out of a hat, it’s with consultation with the school and guidance counsellors so we are able to just monitor and make sure that the right persons get the resources that are required,” noted Ministry of Education’s regional director for Region Four Dr Michele Pinnock.

“These resources are very important and very significant as persons are getting grants, they are getting books,” she added.

Among the grateful parents at Monday’s event was Tiffany Lawson.

Students and parents gather at Pier One where Excelerate Energy and Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted a back-to-school fair on Monday.

“Hurricane Melissa wasn’t as bad as others for me. It kinda break down some part of the place and his father lost his house, so there is a setback but we pulling through. These funds will fill a gap,” Lawson told the
Observer.

Her son, Floyd Palmer, is heading into sixth grade at Irwin Primary, and she said the grant, along with the books and school bag, will help him in his final year there.

Dannia Ennis was also grateful for the support, explaining that she has been dealing with the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the financial implications of sending her children back to school.

“Hurricane Melissa mash up three rooms on the house but my father take time rebuilding,” Ennis explained.

“I’m grateful and I am glad because it take off little bit of the stress off, you understand, because I have more than one child going back-to-school, so I am glad for it,” she said.

Students and parents benefit from free medical exams offered by Hospiten during a back-to-school fair held at Pier One in Montego Bay Monday.

In addition to school supplies, students also received free medical examinations from privately run medical facility Hospiten. According to Verona Carter, vice-president and general manager for the Caribbean at Excelerate Energy, the fair’s major sponsor, they are proud to continue supporting students.

“At Excelerate Energy, we believe education is one of the most important investments we can make in nation building. Through our back-to-school programme, we are helping to give talented, high-performing students the financial support they need to pursue their education and reach their fullest potential. When we invest in our young people, we are not only creating opportunities for them and their families, we are helping to build stronger communities and, ultimately, a stronger Jamaica,” she said.

President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce Jason Russell said the initiative was necessary given the challenges some parents are facing.

“Anything we do now post-Melissa is aiding with the recovery. A lot of companies are closed, namely the hotel chains, but they are coming back one by one. We know it’s going to be hard, especially this year, for a lot of those hotel workers so what we are doing now is facilitating that back-to-school process,” said Russell.

“It might not be a lot but it’s probably enough to get the ball rolling,” Russell added.