Jamaica Diaspora back-to-school supplies drive to benefit 1,500 children

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Oct 26, 2020 08:23 PM | Diaspora, Education

Boxes of school supplies being packed for shipping to Jamaica by JDTAN members for its educational taskforce. (Contributed photo)

The Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN), through its educational arm, said 1,500 children back home on the Caribbean island will benefit from its back-to-school supplies drive this year.

Last week, JDTAN chairman Leo Gilling shared images of numerous boxes of packed school items being prepared for shipping to Jamaica.

The items, all sourced and donated by Jamaicans overseas will be distributed to 20 schools across the country.

In thanking the donors this year, Gilling listed several notable individuals, foundations and companies that contributed to the success of the initiative which is in support of the Ministry of National Security's crime prevention and community safety branch to provide basic school supplies to infant and primary school students in communities in Clarendon, St. James, Kingston, St. Andrew and Westmoreland.

Renée Steele, senior policy director of the crime prevention and community safety branch at the Ministry of National Security emphasized the need of the programme, stating that “the impact of the pandemic has compounded socioeconomic stressors that face our most vulnerable families, which is expected to worsen with the demands associated with the back-to-school season”.

Supporting the initiative this year are: The Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC), The UTECH Community Service & Development department, Dennis Shipping Jamaica Limited, Canada Coast to Coast, Jamaican Cultural Association of Nova Scotia (JCANS), Jamaica Association of Montreal Foundation, Jamaica Association of Montreal Inc., Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc. (JOCA), Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), Windsor West Indian Association (Caribbean Centre), Jamaican Association of Manitoba, Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta Calgary, The Jamaican Canadian Cultural Association of British Columbia (JCCABC).