US-Based Jamaican Awarded for 30 Years of Support to St. Catherine Children
By: October 22, 2024 ,The Full Story
It was Christmas 1994 when United States (US)-based Jamaican, Donna Moore-Stewart, decided to host a treat for the children in the Bodles Crescent community in St. Catherine where she grew up.
Encouraged by her late mother, who wanted to do something for needy families in the area, she and her sister pooled their funds to provide toys and other goodies for the children.
Buoyed by the success of the event and the support from the community members, Mrs. Moore-Stewart decided to make the Christmas treat an annual undertaking.
However, she made the decision to focus on providing the children with bookbags and other educational items instead of toys after visiting the community and witnessing a child going to school with his books in his hands.
With a mission to provide humanitarian relief for children in need, “so they can be lifted from subsistence to a life full of potential and promise”, the Pollyanna Project was born.
Mrs. Moore-Stewart, who is the Founder and Executive Director, named the charity after her mother, who died six months after that first Christmas treat.
Over the years, more than 15,000 children from various communities across St. Catherine, such as Bodles Crescent, Banister, Bullet Tree, Planters, Old Harbour Bay and surrounding areas, have benefited from donations of laptops, iPads, calculators, school bags, books, pens, pencils, uniforms, shoes, and groceries.
For her contribution, Mrs. Moore-Stewart was, on Monday (October 21), presented with an award by the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation for 30 years of invaluable contribution to community development.

She was one of 12 persons honoured at the parish’s annual National Heroes Day civic ceremony held at Emancipation Square in Spanish Town.
Seven persons were recognised for contribution to community development, two for culture, two for uniformed groups, one for health, and one for religion.
Mrs. Moore-Stewart tells JIS News that she is moved by the stories from the beneficiary families, of how the assistance provided through the Pollyana Project has helped to ease the financial stress and place their children on a path to success.
“These stories stick with me,” she tells JIS News, noting that she is happy that the project is making a difference in people’s lives.
The Pollyanna Project has grown over the 30 years, reaching children beyond St. Catherine and outside of the island.
Mrs. Moore-Stewart says that during the early days of the initiative, families and friends were relied on to donate the toys and educational items but notes that the project is now able to attract large donors.
She notes that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity, at one go, was able to bring to Jamaica 60 technology devices for children in need.
During this past summer, the charity provided educational support to more than 100 students in St. Catherine and Portland, with more than 2,000 books donated to the Birnamwood Primary School in Portland.
In addition, scores of children received laptops through contribution from the US basketball team, Brooklyn Nets.
Beyond the donation of school supplies, the Pollyanna Project has established a learning centre at the Castleton Primary School in St. Mary.
Mrs. Moore-Stewart is pleased with the impact of the project and expresses confidence that through the efforts of her twin sons, who have grown up in the project, and the commitment of supporters, the work will continue for as long as it is needed.
The philanthropist is also pleased to see more entities coming on board to assist less-fortunate persons.
“I have seen so many back-to-school events and people are giving. There are many people out there doing good,” she tells JIS News.