KINGSTON, Jamaica — Nearly 200 children from August Town, Mona and surrounding communities benefited from free health services, school supplies and other back-to-school support through a recent outreach initiative hosted by the UWI Mona Guild of Students.

The back-to-school treat, held at the UWI Mona Students’ Union, provided children with dental cleanings, eye testing, haircuts and hairstyles, stationery and $80,000 in book vouchers. Children and their parents also participated in recreational activities throughout the day.

The initiative was led by the Guild’s External Affairs Committee (EAC), which facilitates the Guild’s engagement with external organisations and the wider community through its focus on external relations, outreach and advocacy. The back-to-school treat forms part of the committee’s community outreach initiatives for the 2026–2027 academic year and was implemented in partnership with the UWI Centre for Community Outreach and Development (CCOD), members of the UWI Mona Guild Council and the Guild’s Army of Good (UWI student volunteers).

Members of the UWI Mona Guild Council and UWI Mona Guild of Students

External Affairs Chairwoman Dejanae Fagan said the initiative demonstrated the role that partnerships can play in responding to practical needs within surrounding communities.

“The back-to-school treat allowed the guild to work alongside community and corporate partners to provide services and resources that families could use as the new school year began. Our focus was on meeting practical needs, particularly access to health services, school supplies and educational resources,” Fagan said.

Members of the UWI Mona Guild External Affairs Committee collects cheque from Infiniti Cooperative Credit Union

The initiative was supported through contributions from community and corporate partners, including Patricia Duncan Sutherland, The UWI Alumni Association (Jamaica Chapter) and Infiniti Cooperative Credit Union. Contributions included health and personal-care services, educational resources, food and refreshments, equipment and other logistical support.

The UWI Alumni Association (Jamaica Chapter) and Infiniti Cooperative Credit Union jointly contributed $80,000 in book vouchers for participating children. The health services offered during the initiative also provided families with access to dental and vision care through the Jamaica Dental Students’ Association and the Lions Club of Mona as part of back-to-school preparation.