For the tenth consecutive year, Ripple Effects (RE) Promotions has helped ease back-to-school anxieties for families in Tobago.
The entertainment and cultural organisation recently hosted its annual back-to-school charity initiative at the Shaw Park Complex, benefiting nearly one hundred families across the island.
Over the past decade, more than 1,500 of Tobago’s children have received school supplies and hampers through the initiative. Founder Kleon McPherson said the group remains committed to supporting the island’s most vulnerable.
“We already know, in terms of the economic hardships that we experience within Tobago and there are underprivileged persons, as well as special needs, that would need items like in terms school books, grocery items as well. So we deemed it our social responsibility to assist individuals within Tobago.”
The team not only supports families during the back-to-school period, but also conducts follow-up sessions. This year, they have extended their outreach.
“We actually had Dr. Alina Williams coming to lecture the parents as well. We know the importance of mental health – it’s very important, not just financial struggles, but also mentally what they will be going through. So we do a holistic programme where we give out items, we have various entertainment, we have refreshments. It’s a whole experience where the children could come and enjoy themselves.”
Clinical psychologist Dr. Alina Williams was moved by the venture undertaken by RE Promotions and highlighted the importance of offering mental health support to vulnerable families.
“Because I think that mental health goes hand in hand with parenting, I partnered with them to educate the parents as well as the young people on how important it is to take care of their mental health – especially in a time like this where things are getting difficult, things are getting harder for students to adapt to and I just wanted to encourage people at this point.”
Dr. Williams encouraged parents to take back-to-school preparations one step at a time, and also highlighted the importance of self-care.
“Don’t pour from an empty cup so ensure that you are well taken care of – your mental health, your physical health – before you can pour onto your children. And for the children, I know there will be a lot of anxiety in terms of going back to school, going to a new class, perhaps new teachers, new subjects. That anxiety could be stressful. I want you to lean into your resilience, lean into the support of the people around you.”
The clinical psychologist also noted the importance of maintaining physical health, as this contributes significantly to mental wellbeing.