Baby pop-up donation brings support to mothers in Old Harbour

The Pollyanna Project, founded by Donna Moore-Stewart, is a charity registered in the United States and Jamaica, with origins in Old Harbour, that provides educational supplies and community support to children and families in need.

James, a former student of St. Jago High School and a current nursing student at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, is also a recipient of the Pollyanna Project’s scholarship programme, having received a $1 million nursing scholarship to pursue her four-year degree.

The Baby Pop Up Donation drive was inspired by a conversation between James and Moore-Stewart, who mentioned having baby clothes available for donation.

“When Miss Donna Stewart told me that she had some baby clothes lying around, instantly the idea just clicked in my head — why not donate them to the clinic?” James said.

Having previously worked at the Old Harbour health clinic through the National Health Fund (NHF) Summer Programme and a being former member of Jamaica Red Cross (JRC), James said she saw first-hand the steady flow of young mothers seeking medical care.

“I worked there last summer and saw a lot of young mothers coming in and out. I felt it would be really good to give back to those right here in Old Harbour,” she explained.

Although James currently resides in Kingston, she hails from the Bellas Gate community in St. Catherine northwest, and says she considers Old Harbour as home because of its close proximity.

The main goal of the pop-up donation, she said, was simple: to ensure that every mother who visited the clinic that day received something.

“Even if it was something small, we ensured that everyone went home with something. Christmas just passed and we felt like sometimes our own community gets overlooked, so we wanted to give back,” she said.

President of the Jamaica Midwives’ Association and Registered Midwife Supervisor for Zone 3, Sharon Banberry Edward, welcomed the initiative and highlighted its importance to the community.

“From time to time, mothers are in need, and the fact that she is a student nurse who wanted to give back to her community made this initiative especially meaningful. Hosting the donation on an antenatal day [Friday], when most clinic attendees are new mothers, was a good decision. Unlike the minister’s information that states that birth rate in Jamaica is declining…we don’t see that here in Old Harbour, maybe for some facilities but birth rate here is quite high — even today we had 32 clients. So it’s a very good initiative and we are happy to partner with the young lady and hope the mothers and babies will benefit from these gifts,” Edward said.

Approximately 40 care packages were distributed, along with additional items. Donations included baby clothes, diapers, baby formula, blankets and thermometers.

James said the mothers who were present for clinic visit received the gesture with gratitude. “They were expecting us because we had made a poster and worked with the nurses to choose a suitable day when most of the young mothers would be there. Everyone thought the drive was a very nice gesture. I am grateful that they were all happy for the packages and they received them with great appreciation,” she shared.

She noted that one of the biggest challenges facing young mothers in the community is lack of support.

“Support is a major issue. Some young mothers don’t get the support they should which affect them so myself and the Pollyanna Project wanted to ensure that support is provided,” she said.

At the start of the event, James addressed the mothers and explained the mission of the Pollyanna Project and the purpose of the donation drive.

The initiative is expected to grow into a national outreach series, with other clinics being beneficiaries. “This will be the first, but not the last pop-up. We plan to travel across clinics in Jamaica as time progresses,” James revealed.

She encouraged members of the public to help the Pollyanna Project to support future drives by donating, sharing posters or spreading by word of mouth.

“We want to send a big thank you to current donors and to future donors, don’t think that small things can’t make a big difference. Anything at all that you give, will help a far way,” she said.