‘These children are really bright’ - Poor family seeks help to send children back to school

A few weeks ago, a group of boys were captured through The Gleaner's camera lens studying on Wildman Street in downtown Kingston.

With the new school term beginning in less than a week, two of the youngsters in the group are uncertain if they will be attending class as their parents, Leecroft Dunigan and Jacqueline Shirley, are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. The couple, who have two other children, said they are seeking the public's assistance in getting them prepared for school next week.

"I am just looking some help for the four of them to go back to school. I have already gotten them uniforms, but I really don't have anything else for them, so mi just a beg some assistance. It really rough on us, but these children are really bright and I want to see them reach somewhere great in life," he said.

Dunnigan usually sells items from two small stalls outside his gate, but he stated that the business crumbled several weeks ago.

"We had to use the money from the stall send them to school and buy food and ting, so that's how everything get to spend up. We also had a death in the family, so we use a little of the money to help out," he said.

A look of frustration crept over Shirley's face as she explained how she has been job hunting for months, without any luck.

"I used to tidy up a little office but the place close down. Right now, I am willing to do anything so I can get a little pay at the end of the day. I send out a lot of resume, but I know a lot of person nah go waah employ me because I don't have any qualification ... I have gone to a lot of bureaus but never get any calls. I am wondering if it's because of my age, because I am 48," she said.

"Is just mi babyfather a hold we up right now, because nuff time is him get a little work here and there and him go juggle it; no matter how small the money is, him always take it. When mi have a little change, mi will buy two pack a cigarette and some bag juice and gwan sell, but everything slow now," she added.