US-Vincentian readies Rillan Hill students for school

Parents in the South Leeward village of Rillan Hill can cross a few items off their back-to-school shopping list after a donation, coordinated by an American of Vincentian parentage, was made to students in the community.

Supplies for 30 students, which included book bags, stationery, hygiene items, notebooks and laptops were donated by Tishel Samuel, the granddaughter of Jimmy Samuel who is well-known for lighting-up his home during the Christmas holidays.

In 2021, Samuel copped the national prize for the lighting up his home and he told SEARCHLIGHT that fostering a sense of community has always been high on his lists of priorities. He said he believes this same spirit has been passed down to his granddaughter.

“At her age, to think about [doing] something like this, it really gets to me.”

Sixteen children, ranging from Grade 2 to Form Five at schools in surrounding communities, gathered at Samuel’s residence on Tuesday, August 22 to receive their supplies from Samuel, his wife and former educators.

Samuel said Tishel contacted him “one day” and said she wanted to contribute to the local back-to-school effort. He said he was overwhelmed with the size of the donation when he saw the items.

“I thank my granddaughter for this donation to the children of St Vincent and she is only 22 years old and she put on all this so that these children could get a bag to go back to school and everything you could think of for school. I know that it is hard getting children back to school and she didn’t even know that.”

One parent, Elvina Mockett, who is tasked this year with preparing her son and two grandchildren for the new school year, told SEARCHLIGHT that securing the items for the return to school is a tremendous financial burden for parents in the community.

“It is very challenging and we are glad for the help,” Mockett said.

She lamented the cost as well as the number of items that are required for the new school year.

“One day I go town and spend $800 for just the two of them and that is a lot of money. This [donation] can help us keep a little money in our pockets that we can buy a little food.”

Children in SVG are expected to return to school on Monday, September 4.