POND ISLAND – On Friday, July 7th, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), Ms. Silveria Jacobs met with Mr. Ki-Mani Olivacce, founder of the Back 2 School Drive, to discuss the vision and projection of the project. The Back to School Drive is a project, 16-year-old Ki-Mani Olivacce began in 2016. The drive is geared towards students who are in foster care, as well as for students whose parents are unable to provide the school materials and supplies every year for their child or children. “Not having the basic essentials like a paper and pencil to write with should not deter a student from being eager to learn and go to school,” Olivacce quoted.
Mr. Olivacce is inspired by his parents and family members, who have always taught him the importance of sharing and helping those in need. “I admired that characteristic [community service] that’s shown within a lot of members of my family,” Olivacce said. He would like to inspire as well as encourage the community to donate to the drive.
Minister Jacobs, through her foundation, Your Voice, Your Choice, also began a back to school drive in 2014, which on the day of distribution, was hosted with a sports fun day for the students. There are various organizations with similar goals and working towards the same cause. The results would be greater with the collaboration of organizations to execute one big project. Therefore, the Minister has decided to team up with Mr. Olivacce in a collaborative effort to meet the needs of more students in preparation for the new school year. “Our students are our future, and as a community, we must to do our part to safeguard their future. Students require supplies, as well as learning materials, along with teachers, to help attain their maximum potential.”
Supplies such as agendas, 3 ring binders, backpacks, coloring pencils, pens/pencils, paper, Crayons, dividers, folders, glue bottles, glue sticks, erasers, highlighters, markers, notebook paper, pencil cases, rulers, spiral notebooks, calculators and any other school supplies are accepted. The donations can be dropped off at the Windward Island Bank in Philipsburg, Meyers Group of Companies main office on the Bush Road, as well of the Cabinet of the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport at the New Government Building on Soualiga Boulevard. Mr. Olivacce can be contacted via telephone on +1 721 522 52 52 or +1721 523 1361 and the Cabinet ECYS via +1 721 520 0285. The drive began on July 3rd and will end on August 11th.
Persons who are aware of child(ren) in need of school supplies should notify Roylyka Roache via roylyka.roache@sintmaartengov.org . Please include the name, age, school of the child9ren)and contact information of the parent/guardian. Follow the Ministry ECYS and join the Drive!
