Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
Percival Latouche, president of the Returning Residents Association, hands out toys and back-to-school items to children in Long Road, Portland. - CONTRIBUTED
MORE THAN 2,000 students received a special treat and a treasure trove of back-to-school items from Percival Latouche, president of the Returning Residents Associa-tion in eastern Portland, recently.
A variety of school bags, books, pencils, pens, and geometry sets was handed out to students attending Rural Hill Primary, Manchioneal All-Age, Fair Prospect High and Primary, and Kindergarten schools.
Mr. Latouche explained that the initiative was done jointly with GraceKennedy Remittance Service, Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society and the Returning Residents Association.
Mr. Latouche said that the initiative is one way of reducing strain on the pockets of parents and guardians - many of whom are unable to cope with the escalating economic hardships. He said the treat is also another way of ensuring that a greater portion of students will be able to return to schools this term, as they would have now received the basic amenities to facilitate their return to school.
2006 TREAT
The groups pooled funds valued at over $700,000 to host the treat. It was the second treat of this magnitude to have taken place in eastern Portland as more than 900 children received a Christmas treat on December 23, when a variety of toys, ice-cream and basic food items was handed out by Mr. Latouche in the Hectors River and Manchioneal communities.
The back-to-school treat is expected to be held again in August 2006 to facilitate the start of the new school year in September. Last year, more than 4,000 students received back-to-school items through Food For the Poor, Digicel and the Returning Residents Association in the Manchioneal school yard.
The back-to-school treat was extended to include children between the age group three years to 15 years, and involved the adjoining communities of Manchioneal, Rural Hill, Long Bay, Reach and Hectors River.
