Free school supplies and health checks ease financial burdens for parents across central Jamaica.
Over one thousand families across the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) region began the school year healthy, equipped, and encouraged through four Back-to-School Expos and Health Fairs, held in major towns across the region from August 12–20, 2025.
The initiatives, organized by the Education, Health, Community Services, Prayer Ministries, and Children’s Ministries Departments of the CJC, aimed to ensure that children were prepared academically, physically, and spiritually for the new school year.
The delegation was joined by SD Optical from St. Elizabeth, which conducted complimentary eye screenings at the May Pen leg of the expos, while volunteer nurses from the Cumberland Road Health Center supported the Willowdene Group of Schools event. The Health Departments from Mandeville SDA, May Pen SDA, and Bellas Gate SDA, alongside teachers from Willowdene, were also instrumental in the overall success of the program.
Supporting Families Through Collaboration
According to Rox-Anne McKoy Chambers, Education Director of CJC, the goal of the initiative was to provide essential educational and health support as families prepared for the school year.
“Collaboration multiplies resources and extends our reach. Through partnerships with WHEEL, Community Services, Prayer Ministries, Health Ministries, local churches, and government agencies, we distributed over 1,460 school packages—an extraordinary increase from 127 in Manchester in 2023—and provided critical services like back-to-school medicals and health screenings,” she said.
Chambers also highlighted the financial and health impact of the screenings, noting that many families cannot afford the cost of back-to-school medicals.
“School medicals can reach $4,500 per child. By offering these services free of charge, we ensured children are healthy and ready for school, while easing financial pressures on parents,” she added.
The initiative also offered food and entertainment for children, reducing the high costs of school preparation and creating a supportive environment for families.
Impact on the Community
The combined efforts of volunteers, donors, church leaders, and institutional partners resulted in:
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- 207 back-to-school medicals completed
- Approximately 1,080 school packages distributed to children
- At least 320 food packages provided for adults, with additional meals served at some locations
Pastor Everett Smith, Community Services Director, called the initiative a resounding success. “The back-to-school programme for 2025 was a resounding success. Working with the different departments shows that when we come together and work as a team, success is guaranteed and more can be accomplished. The medical professionals, Community Services, and Education Departments working together transformed lives and gave hope to many parents and students who did not know where the funds would come from to assist with their children’s medicals, uniforms, and school supplies,” said Smith.
Meanwhile, Ruth Walcott, Prayer Ministries Director, reflected on her team’s contribution.
“It is always a pleasure to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It was with this in mind that Prayer Ministries accepted the challenge to serve the people in Bellas Gate and adjoining districts. Back-to-school supplies were handed out, grocery bags, clothing, Christian literature, persons were prayed for, and they were given a five-course meal. God works in great ways to get His way. Thanks to the Health, Education, Welfare Departments and other staff members who were in attendance,” she said.
Angella Sterling, a parent from Bellas Gate, also shared her appreciation.
“The treat was wonderful. We benefited from the food and goodies. Despite the rain, everything worked out, and both the community and church were pleased,” she said.
These Back-to-School Expos and Health Fairs demonstrated that through giving, volunteering, and partnership, lives are uplifted, families are supported, and hope is restored.