The United Student Movement Projects and Special Initiatives Sector’s, Associate Director, Che’ Obrien McDermott [left] and Director, Latoya Carnagie [right] donated an array of items to the Mannings Boys Home which were accepted by Assistant Manager of the Home, Petula Mailand [centre] on Friday, April 30, 2021.

Photo Credit: Contributed

By: Patrice Smith

Manchester, Jamaica – The Mannings Boys Home in Southfield, St. Elizabeth was able to benefit from an array of items recently donated by Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU), United Student Movement’s (USM) Projects and Special Initiatives Team.

On Friday, April 30, USM’s projects team, including Director Latoya Carnagie and Associate Director, Che ‘Obrien McDermott made their way to the Manning Boys Home to deliver donations containing cases of tissues, cleaning supplies, toiletries and food.

In 2012, the team adopted the home and made an effort to visit them twice a year. The relationship between both parties never deteriorated as they tried to make a positive impact on the home annually.

However, due to the pandemic, the team was unable to go since March of last year. 

USM Director of Projects and Special Initiatives, Latoya Carnagie expressed how essential it was for the team to deliver the donations to the boys.

“It was very important because we didn’t want the home to feel that we’ve forgotten them, especially the 43 boys here. So I made it a priority to visit them as my tenure comes to end,” explained Carnagie.

In agreement is Associate Director, Che ‘Obrien McDermott, who stated that the team prioritized the needs of the children and were successful in doing so.

“We all know how the COVID-19 virus has impacted our lives, just imagine how it has negatively impacted the lives of the boys at this home,” highlighted McDermott.

Donations were handed over to the Assistant Manager of the Home, Petula Mailand, who expressed her gratitude towards the team.

“Serving children across the world and giving the tokens of appreciation, we really do accept and appreciate on behalf of the boys here at the Mannings Child Care facility we want to say thank you,” she expressed.

Mailand encouraged the team to continue donating and helping not only the Mannings Home but others as well.

The Manning Boys Home accommodates around 60 boys between ages 8 and 18 with the goal of having a safe, healthy, and caring atmosphere for boys that have been through adversity in their life, through counselling and recovery that can help them develop strength and rehabilitate.