Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2019/2020 Khamara Wright recently gave back to three youth-centred institutions in a three-day series of donation-handovers, in keeping with her national project, Ready, Set, Learn.
The three institutions, the Strathmore Children's Home in St. Catherine, the Glen Hope Nursery and Play Therapy Centre in Kingston, and the Linstead Community Development Committee (Linstead CDC) Junior Youth Club, also in St. Catherine received donations of school supplies as well as personal care items for their young wards courtesy of funding by the national project’s corporate sponsor, Lasco Financial.
“When the pandemic hit last March, one of the first things I thought was how it will impact students in the long term. As the pandemic continued, I realized it would be best to use the funding for my national project to assist with securing food and school items for students in children’s homes and for those who visit the community centres,” the Festival Queen said.
“Because of the pandemic, the donations coming to these Non-Profit institutions dwindled significantly, which definitely impacted the children. With that in mind, I wanted to ensure that they had not only school supplies but food items, baby toiletries and toys, so that they could continue to learn comfortably despite what was happening around them. Ideally my National Project should provide a real life solution to a problem that is presented, and I feel strongly that this was the best way to employ the funds,” she continued.
The three institutions that received donations were hand-selected by the Festival Queen based on need and merit.
“While watching the news, I was introduced to the Reading Program at the Linstead CDC. I loved the fact that students had a safe space in the community to attend online classes, and that adults could visit to read with them or learn to read as well. When I saw it, I knew I wanted to help the Linstead CDC in securing resources as well to ensure the program was a continued success,” the Festival Queen said.
“I chose the Strathmore Children’s Home and Glenhope Nursery because these homes cater to younger wards, and I don’t believe that younger children can easily grasp the concept of a pandemic. Their day to day norm has shifted and it may be harder for them to adjust, so I felt my assistance would be more beneficial in those homes,” she continued.
The Festival Queen further stated that she is hopeful that the donations will help to provide comfort for the children of these institutions while simultaneously being an educational vehicle to continue their studies and help to alleviate some of their day to day stress.
“Though some adults may not recognize it, children will sense when there is a major change happening and then shift in their behaviors accordingly. I am hoping these donations will help to alleviate any voids and will reintroduce a sense of food and supply security to these children, so that they can focus on what matters: performing well during each of their online classes, playing, and just being children,” the Festival Queen said.
“I am also hopeful that other entities will see and be inspired to continue the trend of giving,” She added.
