Kingston, Jamaica — September 30, 2026: Students from Hagley Park Preparatory School demonstrated the value of service and compassion as they reached out to senior citizens in their community, impacting the lives of 11 seniors through the distribution of care packages and hot meals.
Students from Grades 3 - 6, accompanied by members of the school’s teaching staff, ventured into the community to share meals, gifts, encouragement, and prayer with senior citizens early Wednesday morning. Hagley Park has annually celebrated Senior Citizens Day; however, this year, they chose to extend it to a week of activities under the theme “Honoring a golden legacy, shaping a bold future."
:: Photo credit: Contributed
Programs Coordinator at Hagley Park, Mrs. Cadian Bailey-Brandon, proudly led the initiative.
“I decided this time around, let’s not just do senior citizens day, but a week of celebrations.
We saw the need for integration for this to happen, so we decided to look beyond the seniors that could walk in and be with us. We decided instead to go into the community and impact some of our home members and others in the community.”
:: Photo credit: Contributed
For the students, the experience was more than simply delivering care packages. It was an opportunity to connect personally with members of the community and bring moments of joy and encouragement to their day. Tayshuan Thompson, one of the students, eagerly interacted with the seniors.
“Senior citizens' impact was such a blast; we carried gift baskets to them, they were so beautiful, and we shared with them and prayed with them. Some of the seniors even shared their history with us, and I was so excited to go,” said Tayshuan.
Another student, Rayna Douglas, too enjoyed the experience. “It was very fun; we went into the community to give our care packages to the elderly people who needed the help, and it made me really happy that we could help them out.”
Tayshuan Thompson, a student of the Hagley Park Preparatory School, poses with a care package during the Seniors Citizens Impact. :: Photo credit: Contributed
The outreach provided an opportunity for the students to put kindness into action while learning the importance of caring for and serving others.
“We want them to understand and appreciate the seniors among us. Very often we find that children don’t gravitate to older folks, and we want to break that barrier; we want to bridge that gap, where our children can learn to love, appreciate, laugh and talk and play with the seniors,” concluded Mrs. Bailey-Brandon.
The outreach included a memorable visit to a 105-year-old member of the community. Elder Rupert Whittaker, resource manager at the East Jamaica Conference and longstanding worker, was also honoured during the impact.
Elizabeth Gayle (centre) receives her lunch and care package from Hagley Park students and staff during Senior Impact Day. :: Photo credit: Contributed
Elder Rupert Whittaker (left), resource manager at the East Jamaica Conference, receives a gift basket from the students, staff and principal (right) of the Hagley Park Prep School, Dr. Paulene Gayle-Betten. :: Photo credit: Ruth-Ann Brown
The outreach formed part of the activities surrounding Senior Citizens Week, which was officially launched on Monday, September 28. Past Teacher, Mrs. Pearlesa Scott, was honoured for her contribution. Senior Citizens and Community Services director of the East Jamaica Conference, Pastor Sheldon Schooler, along with the Hagley Park Preparatory School staff and students, were in attendance.
The Hagley Park Preparatory School, located within the East Jamaica Conference constituency, continues to provide opportunities for students to live out the principles of Christian service beyond the classroom.
Through initiatives such as this outreach, students are learning that education extends beyond academic achievement, but it involves developing hearts willing to serve and make a difference in the lives of others.