Old Harbour charity celebrates silver jubilee, targets 2,000 Jamaican kids this year

What started out in 1994 as a simple Christmas treat for 40 children in tiny community of Bodles – a five-minute drive west of the Old Harbour town centre – has developed into an islandwide programme known today as the Pollyanna Project.

Six months after though, its founder Carmen 'Miss Polly' Hines died. But her eldest daughter Donna Moore-Stewart, who lives in the United States of America, has taken up the mantle in honour of her dearly beloved mother.

Every year since then a back-to-school treat is held with hundreds of children receiving needy items for the upcoming academic year beginning in September.

“Over the years, we asked local company, friends and associates to contribute school supply kits and backpacks.

“Although that is a small fraction of the total cost, it allowed her to provide every child with kits that included everything down to the scientific calculator.

“At this point, the project gives back to over 2,000 children. The program rewards top performers in local schools, engages and educate parents, and provides three meals for the day's event,” a historical outline of the project stated.

This charity has now spread its wings beyond Old Harbour. And for its silver jubilee or 25th anniversary the communities of Barbican Terrace, more popularly known as Standpipe in St Andrew and Prospect, Portland will benefit this year. Not to be left out are the communities of Old Harbour Bay, Bullet Tree and Big Pond.

“Since the event's inception, we have distributed thousands of books, bags and other school supplies. This year our target is to cater for 2,000 children. The theme for the day will be, ‘Gratitude Is a Must’.

“We realized that after so many years of giving back it is helpful to understand why learning to give back to others is vital for positive youth development and how parents, schools, and communities play an important role.

“With the right community service ideas, and opportunities from pre-kindergarten through high school, that is provided, young people can grow from an understanding of how they fit into society to how they can help solve societal problems with just a little less to worry about as they approach each school year,” the charity group said.

The Pollyanna Project Silver Jubilee Tour dates are as follows:

• July 27, 2019 – Barbican Terrace (Standpipe), St Andrew
• July 28 2019 – Big Pond and Bullet Tree, St. Catherine
• August 4, 2019 – Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine
• August 10, 2019 – Prospect District, Portland

“Her children knows the struggle of wanting the proper shoes and supplies for school and remembered it been a difficult task for their single parent, and with that lingering memory, wanted children to not feel the way they felt,” the group stated.