McLeary: Invest in children, you cannot go wrong

The efforts of pre-school operator, Annette Wynter-Hill, who has been accommodating children daily for online classes, has been bolstered by food donation from the Optimist Club.

For the past three years, the educator has been managing Kings and Queens Nursery and Pre-School on James Street in Kingston.

“This school caters to children in the community and beyond. When COVID came, I realised that there were children with needs who I could assist, even though they were not in the age group that I originally cater to,” she said.

A number of students were not attending online classes and some parents were not capable of providing the required assistance.

Since last September, the educator, who is trained up to the primary level, has opened the doors of her home, which is next door to the school, to at least 10 students.

“Everybody is supposed to give a contribution towards lunch but if they don’t, it doesn’t matter, everybody eats. Sometimes I take from my cupboard and my daughter’s cupboard,” Wynter-Hill highlighted.

Though she is not left with much after she has prepared their meals, she feels fulfilled.

Wynter-Hill is more than grateful for the donation of food as in the coming weeks, she can place her focus on replenishing sanitiser and cleaning agents.

“This donation takes food off of my list of things to be concerned about. I am just really thankful,” she expressed, adding that the school’s motto ‘Humble beginnings precede great endings’ sums up how things have progressed since she decided to take the children under her wings.

President of the Optimist Club of St Matthew’s, Kingston, Isha McLeary, said with Child Month beginning in a few days, it was important for the club to give back in that regard.

“I saw that Miss Annette was assisting children that are not hers and some of them are from the school that I teach - Calabar Infant, Primary and Junior High School. She is really doing something good for the children, so it was ideal to jump in and assist,” the president said.

McLeary noted that the donation was made in partnership with Food For The Poor, Honey Bun and Caribbean Broilers.

Among the items donated were rice, flour, chicken, sausage, mackerel, sardine, sugar, peas, powdered milk and pastries.

A financial token from a club member was also handed over to Wynter-Hill.

She is urging corporate Jamaica and individuals to support the nation’s children by means of mentorship, monetary support or food donation.

“Children might be 30 per cent of our population but they are 100 per cent of our future. If you invest in children, you cannot go wrong,” she remarked.

judana.murphy@gleanerjm.com