Glengoffe native gives back to community

Scores of families in Glengoffe, St Catherine, received needed support ahead of the 2026/27 academic year as the NIA Foundation distributed back-to-school supplies, provided free medical check-ups and offered career development resources to nearly 300 residents.

Driven by a desire to give back to her hometown, the initiative was organised by NIA Foundation founder and 2026 Governor-General’s Achievement Award recipient, Sasha Williams. The event, dubbed ‘Glengoffe Gives Back: Community Health, Mental Wellness, Education Fair and Funday’, was held at Grateful Hill Primary and Infant School in Glengoffe.

“This was the second staging of the initiative, and our goal was to bring health, education, mentorship, support and opportunities directly into the community,” Williams told JIS News. She noted that, based on registration records, approximately 300 people, including children, adults and senior citizens, benefited from the fair.

“We went beyond simply distributing back-to-school supplies. So, for our children, we provided back-to-school medicals, we provided school supplies [and] backpacks. We also had a barber, [and] we provided care packages for our elderly,” she said.

She explained that the event also offered a range of health services, including general medical check-ups for adults and Pap smear screenings for women, made possible through partnerships with sponsors such as the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and the National Health Fund (NHF).

“We had health and wellness education, résumé revamping and career support through the UWI Placement and Career Services… and we had opportunities and information through the HEART/NSTA Trust,” Williams added.

“We just wanted people to leave with information, encouragement, opportunities and a renewed sense of community. We ended by having community prayer and encouragement from the Glengoffe New Testament Church of God,” Williams said.

Residents and beneficiaries of the initiative have praised its positive impact on the community. A parent, Abeta Lobban, explained that four children in her family benefited from the medical services and back-to-school assistance offered during the event. Lobban indicated that two of the children attend high school, one is enrolled at the primary level, and the fourth attends an early childhood institution.

Acknowledging that back-to-school necessities come at a significant cost, Ms Lobban emphasised that the initiative was “a great help towards back-to-school”.

“It was good seeing [Williams] doing something like that… knowing that she is from humble beginnings… and seeing the support coming from someone like her,” Lobban stated.