Planting Seeds of Hope: Community Leader Donates Backpacks to Rural Jamaican School

The quiet hillside setting of Marlie Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Catherine, Jamaica came alive this past week when over 70 students received the uplifting surprise of brand-new backpacks. Isaiah Laing—renowned head of Supreme Promotions and founder of the philanthropic Supreme Foundation—returned to his former school to share a message of hope, generosity, and continuity with the younger generation.

For Laing, this annual gift is more than just a gesture; it represents the cycle of giving that began in his own childhood and continues to shape his legacy today. “Marlie Hill Primary holds a special place in my heart,” said Laing, who once walked the same corridors as the institution’s most famous alumna, former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. “I remember what it felt like growing up here, and I want these students to know they are seen, valued, and capable of great things.”

The Supreme Foundation’s contribution this year included more than 100 backpacks, along with an assortment of treats—ice cream and baked goods among them—that turned an ordinary school day into a memorable event. Overlooking the green slopes of Bellfield, the occasion offered a moment of excitement, relief, and encouragement for students and their families.

Principal O’Niel Gayle expressed deep gratitude for the meaningful support, noting that such acts of kindness ease the financial burden many parents face at the start of a new term. “When someone who once sat where these students now sit chooses to give back, it’s powerful,” he said. “It assures us that what we do here matters, and that the children in this community have not been forgotten.” He praised the consistency of Laing’s involvement, recalling how the philanthropist organized a festive outing to Spanish Town for the entire student body the previous year.

With a current population of 74 students and seven trained teachers, Marlie Hill Primary and Infant School thrives on a sense of closeness and community. Laing’s gift, both practical and symbolic, ensures that young learners continue to walk the halls of this humble institution with greater confidence. By returning to his roots, he demonstrates a profound belief in the power of shared heritage, reminding each child that they can build their future upon a foundation of kindness and generosity.