CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 74

social programmes in the community. He got
members, especially the young people, involved
in acting. They would perform at the theatre
facility on UWI’s Mona Campus and in venues
across different parishes.
He added that this initiative had a positive
impact on the community because it kept
young residents meaningfully occupied; kept
them out of trouble.
Education
Moncrieffe and Phang believe that in order for
their children to be successful, they must also
be educated.
Moncrieffe’s son, Finson, is a grade six student
at the Mona Heights Primary School. He will be
doing the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in

March. She said she tries her best to ensure that
he attends school every day. However, that is
not always possible since there are times when
she has no money. When money is available, she
gives him $200 to $250 to buy lunch and pay for
transportation. At times, when she gives him
money, she gives him snacks and water as well.
She said, at the beginning of the school year,
when she gets a booklist, she would ask the
teacher what are the most important books
and then she seeks to get or buy those second
hand in the community.
Fabian Mahabeer, principal of the Mona Heights
Primary School, said the academic performance of
students from low-income families is negatively
affected in a number of ways.
“You will find a number of students who don’t

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Photo by Marlon James

Photo by Keshauna Nichols