Free Town Foundation’s back-to-school fair highlights child protection, education support

Jamaica Gleaner Article

Free Town, Clarendon – The Free Town Foundation’s annual Back-to-School and Health Fair was held on Friday, August 22, at the Miracle Tabernacle Free Town Church of God of Prophecy in Clarendon, drawing scores of children, parents, and community stakeholders for a day dedicated to empowerment, education, and wellness. The event, which combined free health checks, school supplies distribution, and motivational talks, carried two major messages: the urgent need to protect children from abuse and the importance of investing in their future through education.

Keynote speaker Sgt Michael Berry dished out his address on a ‘PLATE’.

His message on strategies for effective family protection was simplified using the acronym.

Pray – Offer prayers both for and with your children. Start each day with prayer for their safety and spiritual guidance.

Listen – Pay attention when children speak, even if their concerns seem trivial. Many abuse cases go unaddressed because parents dismiss children’s attempts to communicate problems.

Affirm – Build your child’s self-esteem through positive reinforcement, regardless of their academic performance. Speak well of them and help them feel loved and valued.

Talk – Engage in genuine conversations, not just one-way instructions. Understand what your children are experiencing and be prepared to explain your expectations.

Encourage – Support your child’s efforts while focusing on education over material possessions. A child with expensive clothing but poor grades reflects misplaced priorities.

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

He reminded them that it is the community’s responsibility to collectively protect children, and that parents should remain open to constructive feedback from neighbours and other adults. He stressed that the principle that “it takes a village to raise a child” remains relevant.

Speaking under the theme ‘Protecting Our Children’, Berry warned parents to be vigilant in watching for warning signs of sexual abuse, including changes in behaviour and uncomfortable touching by any adult – even family members.

“Be particularly cautious with stepfather relationships and adults who offer excessive gifts or attention to children. Children are gifts from God, deserving protection both at home and in the community. This responsibility cannot be taken lightly or delegated entirely to others,” he stated.

Dr Eric Dixon seeing a patient at the health fair

Inspector Florence Clarke, of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), speaking directly to parents, guardians, and young people, outlined the realities of the Sexual Offences Act of 2009, stressing that inappropriate engagement with children — whether physical or digital — can result in serious legal consequences.

“Some of you think that, if you don’t touch the child, you haven’t committed a crime,” she warned. “But, once you have communicated in a sexual way with a child under 16, with intent, you are guilty under the law. Sending a message saying, ‘You are so pretty’, followed by a request for a photo of her body parts, is already a crime.”

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

Griffiths was careful to dispel common misconceptions. She reminded the audience that children under 16 years cannot legally give consent to sex, regardless of their appearance, mannerisms, or willingness. She shared a story of overhearing a young girl’s giggling conversation in a taxi to illustrate how immaturity often betrays a child’s true age, regardless of outward appearance.

“Even if a child looks grown in body or speaks with confidence, the law recognises that they are still children,” she said. “And no adult has the right to exploit that.”

The officer also urged parents to monitor their children’s movements and take responsibility for their safety. “If your child is leaving home at one or two in the morning or going missing for days, that is not normal. As parents, you must step in before the police or the courts are forced to.”

Her message also highlighted the issue of under-reporting, particularly among boys. “Many offences go unreported because young men feel embarrassed to say a girl assaulted them,” she noted. “But the law applies equally. If a boy under 16 kisses, hugs, or touches a girl sexually, or vice versa, it is still an offence.”

The presentation resonated with both children and parents in attendance, sparking frank discussions about boundaries, respect, and the role of the family in guiding young people.

Beyond safeguarding, the event also celebrated academic excellence and the value of education. A scholarship valued at $250,000 was awarded to Uriel Simpson, who has gained a place at Glenmuir High School. The scholarship was established in honour of the late Pauline Veronica Williams, a beloved teacher, minister, and entrepreneur known for her dedication to youth and education.

The award, presented by her children, including Hank Williams and siblings, will cover tuition, uniforms, and lunch support. In accepting the award, young Simpson expressed gratitude, while the family encouraged other students to pursue their studies with diligence and integrity.

“This scholarship is not only financial support,” Williams explained. “It is a legacy of love, discipline, and faith in the next generation, values that our mother lived by.”

The Free Town Foundation, which has been active in community development, described the event as part of its broader mission to empower young people through health, education, and social support. Alongside the talks and scholarship, children received school supplies, and families benefited from basic health checks, reinforcing the holistic approach of the initiative.