By: Ms. Sandra Williams
Teacher at Mt. Alvernia High School, Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Mount Alvernia High School Breakfast and Lunch Program is the ‘brainchild’ initiative of the M.A.H.S. Central Florida Alumni chapter which was launched in 2013 and continues to help nourish our most vulnerable students today. The recognition of the dire needs of students became evident when the chapter hosted their Health Fair at the institution during the first two consecutive years. To complete their mandate of satisfying the total needs of students, this chapter provided assistance in the form of breakfast and lunch to five of our most needy students identified by teachers here at M.A.H.S.

These students initially were frequently absent from school because of grave financial crises at home, had limited attention span in classes, students came to school hungry, sometimes not eating the day before. Some were affected by low self esteem because of their situation. This resulted in poor performance of some of these students.

Proper nutrition is strongly linked to academic success. This was evident in the improvement in the grades of these students as they were provided with nutritious meals every day. Their attendance records at school were significantly improved and they were highly motivated by this venture. Their performance records and their overall decorum are closely monitored by the Guidance Counselors and myself.

This great gesture of the Past Students is graciously appreciated by the Principal, Staff Members and the parents of these students. It is our desire that this program will expand and continue to get tremendous support from our Past Students to strengthen the campaign in helping these and other needy students to achieve their goals.

God Bless you!

Ms. Sandra Williams

BREAKFAST INFOGRAPHIC