TWO families in Montego Bay, St James, are among recipients welcoming timely relief from the financial pressures of the new school year through JN Money’s Support Their Start campaign.

The initiative is providing back-to-school assistance to 10 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students as they prepare to transition to new schools this September.

For the mothers of two recipients in Montego Bay, preparing their children for the new school year was already a financial challenge, made more difficult by the economic impact of Hurricane Melissa last October.

Davia Wilson, mother of 12-year-old Ageia Reid who is transitioning from Anchovy Primary to Westwood High School, said the call informing her that she had been selected for the assistance came at a critical time.

The hurricane had disrupted her family’s circumstances, with the temporary closure of her workplace affecting her income and forcing her to dip into her savings to help prepare her daughter for her new boarding school.

When she received the news about the assistance she became so overwhelmed with emotion that she broke down in tears during the phone call.

“I personally didn’t know the expenses would have been so hectic and so much for the first year,” related Wilson.

“When I got the call it was like everything in my world just stopped. I was really excited because it just took off some of the weight that I am carrying,” added Wilson.

She said with normalcy at her workplace expected to return in December, she even visited Westwood High School to inform administrators of her circumstances and discuss her anticipated challenges for the upcoming term.

Davia Wilson cried tears of joy when she heard that her daughter,12-year-old Ageia Reid, who is transitioning from Anchovy Primary to Westwood High School, had been selected for assistance from JN Money.

“I had totally forgotten about the book list too, and the day I remembered about it was the same day I got the call — so I can put this money towards the books and other things to help prepare my daughter,” shared Wilson.

She said the assistance represents more than financial support for her daughter.

“My little girl has been through a lot. Anchovy was her fifth primary school, and to see her work hard to pass her PEP exams for her school of choice means so much to us. We really appreciate the assistance from JN Money, and to her this is like a reward for all the hard work that she has put in,” Wilson pointed out.

Meanwhile Feleisha Campbell-McKenzie — mother of 12-year-old Kaelen Anglin who is transitioning from Catherine Hall Primary and Infant School to Herbert Morrison Technical High School — said, “We are extremely grateful that JN Money thought it necessary to support our back-to-school preparation, and I am on top of the moon.”

Campbell-McKenzie said as a married mother of two, and with both children to consider for going back to school, the season gets more demanding every year.

She related that while her immediate family was spared from destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, “We took in family members, extending our hands and our hearts where we could.”

She noted that the support from JN Money will help her purchase books, school uniforms, shoes and a school bag for her son.

She said the assistance has also reinforced for her son that others recognise his potential and are also invested in his success. “This has really motivated and encouraged him to continue doing well.”

Cedrica Reid, head of marketing and sales at JN Money, explained that supporting families and investing in the education of people remain important to the company, with the launch of the back-to-school campaign underscoring the organisation’s commitment to the communities it serves and the significant role remittances continue to play in Jamaica’s development.