KINGSTON, Jamaica — What began as a Labour Day encounter with children at the Strathmore Gardens Children’s Home has blossomed into a mission of giving back for Jodie Bowes-Morrison, who recently spearheaded a back-to-school treat for 70 children from the facility.

The initiative saw the children treated to a day at Hope Zoo, where they participated in several activities, including a tour, face painting and animal petting, ahead of the start of the new school year.

For Bowes-Morrison, however, the outing represented much more than just a day of fun.

She was first introduced to the home in May 2025 through the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation’s Labour Day project and said her interactions with the children immediately struck a personal chord, reminding her of challenges she experienced during her own childhood.

From left to right: Sherwin Williams, ⁠Jennifer Cunningham, ⁠Dahlia Richards, ⁠Trina Robinson, ⁠Latania Morrison, Jodie Bowes-Morrison, ⁠Darrian Reid, Sachoy Whyte, ⁠Nadia Bernard and ⁠Suzanne Brown

“Spending time with them brought back memories of some of the challenges I experienced in my own childhood, which made it very easy for me to empathise with each child and connect with their experiences,” she said.

“I am not yet where I want to be in life, but I recognise that I am in a position to be the help I once needed as a child.”

Bowes-Morrison continued visiting the home after that initial encounter, but over time felt a growing desire to do something more substantial for the children.

While she initially had no clear idea of what the initiative would look like or how she would pull it off, she knew she wanted to encourage the children to take their education seriously while giving them an opportunity to experience life outside the walls of the home.

“I wanted to give them an opportunity to experience something beyond the walls of the home to create happy memories, feel celebrated, and know that people believe in their potential,” she said.

Turning that desire into reality, however, meant Bowes-Morrison had to do something she admitted does not come naturally — ask for help.

She credited Suzanne Brown, Dahlia Richards, Alicia Morris, Gabriel Hall and Aaron Anderson for giving their time, energy, resources and expertise to help make the initiative possible.

The undertaking also meant balancing the demands of planning the event with her professional responsibilities, academic studies and personal life, which Bowes-Morrison admitted became overwhelming at times.

Still, she said the experience taught her the value of teamwork and community.

“What began as an idea that felt bigger than me became a reality because people were willing to believe in the vision and contribute in whatever way they could,” she said.

The JPS Foundation also played an integral role in the initiative, having already established a relationship with the home through its 2025 Labour Day makeover project.

The foundation covered transportation costs and entry fees for the children and their guardians, while members of its Volunteers On Location To Serve (VOLTS) programme provided additional support on the day, helping to ensure adequate supervision of the children.

JPS’ Community Renewal team also donated uniforms and uniform material to assist the youngsters with their preparations for school.

“Their willingness to step in and provide support made a meaningful difference. I am deeply grateful for their partnership and their commitment to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for the children,” Bowes-Morrison said.

Hope Zoo was selected because organisers wanted the outing to offer more than entertainment, providing the children with an opportunity to learn, explore and interact with nature while enjoying a change from their everyday routine.

Ironically, it was during the moments between the planned activities that Bowes-Morrison witnessed some of the most memorable scenes of the day.

She admitted that ahead of the outing, she worried about whether the children would become bored between activities. Those concerns quickly disappeared as she watched them race each other, relax under the trees, explore their surroundings and create their own games.

“What stood out most was realising that the children didn’t need elaborate activities to enjoy themselves. They simply needed the opportunity, the space, and the freedom to be children,” she said.

“Seeing them so carefree, engaged, and genuinely happy made all the planning and effort worthwhile.”

For Bowes-Morrison, the experience reinforced how something that may appear to be a simple outing can carry far greater significance for a child.

And while she hopes the children remember the fun they had at Hope Zoo, there are two messages she hopes will remain with them long after the day itself: “Dream, and dream big” and “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”

“Where they are today is only a part of their story, not the conclusion,” she said. “I hope the experience encouraged them to dream beyond their present circumstances, to take their education seriously, and to believe that they are capable of achieving more than they may currently imagine.”

Bowes-Morrison is now hoping the initiative will not be a one-off event, with plans to continue and potentially expand her efforts to provide children with opportunities centred around education, mentorship and exposure.