In Jamaica, sending your child to a public school is not entirely free. Public schools may charge tuition and registration fees, while parents also must purchase textbooks separately. These books may be used for only one school year. Uniforms also must be either purchased or made by a tailor. Once these initial expenses are taken care of, there are ongoing daily expenses of transportation, lunches, school activities, development fees and more. Sending even one child to school isn’t easy.
This is why, for the past six years, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Jamaica has been holding back-to-school programmes in the weeks leading up to the new academic year.
Each year, the programme continues to expand. This year it was held at three different locations, helping families prepare for the new academic year. In preparation for the back-to-school programme, local schools were contacted and asked to invite students from families in need. The registration was also open to the wider community, through which more than 100 parents registered their children.
The main event, which was held on 30 August 2026, began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. For many locals, this was their first interaction with Muslims. Therefore, the missionaries welcomed the guests and provided a basic introduction to Islam. The guests also had an opportunity to ask questions. The highlight of the programme was the distribution of more than 200 back-to-school packages to the children, bringing smiles and joy to their faces. A special fun day was also organised for the children. A bouncy castle was provided for the younger children, while volunteers prepared snow cones to help everyone stay cool. The children also enjoyed free snacks, games and other activities, making the event a memorable experience for everyone.
In a predominantly Christian country like Jamaica, events such as these often generate interest and surprise. Many people have preconceived notions about Islam based on what they have seen on TV or social media. Events like these provide an opportunity to highlight some of the Jamaat’s efforts to serve humanity and to explain the Islamic teachings that encourage Muslims to help those in need.