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Local companies and individuals are being called upon to open their hearts and pockets to assist students in need of school materials by The Backpack Project, a not for profit organization.The Backpack Project, which targets Fifth and Sixth form students in the Caribbean, provides a backpack of school materials at the starting of the first school term and refills during the second and third terms.Michelle KandasammyOnly students identified by educators are recipients of the backpacks. Since its establishment in 2010, the organization has sponsored 55 students in Guyana, 65 in Trinidad and Tobago and 30 in Haiti. It is anticipated that by September this year several Jamaican students will benefit.The organization has seven Board Members residing in Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and United States of America. The two co-founders are Melissa Enmore and Michelle Kandasammy.The, organization, which is managed virtually through social media, such as Facebook, Skype and Blackberry Messenger, has become more structured and is ready for expansion.In an interview with Kaieteur News, Kandasammy said the organization sought to partner with organizations with ties to individual Board members in order to develop credibility as a start-up organization.They include the Queen’s College Alumni Association’s Toronto Chapter, The Rotaract Club of Linden (Guyana), Tutorial High School Alumni Association’s Toronto Chapter, TD Bank (Greater Toronto Area),Buy Air Max 90, Anytime Fitness (Greater Toronto Area, Canada), and Business Development Company (Trinidad).She related that organizations or individuals wishing to donate could contribute money or school items. Some schools that benefited locally include Queen’s College, St. Rose’s High and Tutorial High School. |
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