Bayland brothers give back to primary school motivated by late mother

When the Bay Primary School recently held its graduation, two brothers and old scholars continued their tradition of supporting students in memory of their late mother Esther Icilma Alleyne.

Anthony and Akiel Alleyne started the Esther Alleyne Memorial Award in 2015 as a way of providing support to graduating students who were active in Cub Scouts and/or Brownies at the school.

“We feel obligated to do for others as she did for us and this is our way of keeping her memory alive,” Anthony said. Their mother was a very active Girl Guide and leader of the Bay Primary Blossom Pack before she passed away in December 2010.

Since then, Anthony has gone on to become the Principal of the Deighton Griffith School and now Lester Vaughan School while Akiel has assumed leadership of the Bay Primary Scout Troop. They both grew up in Bayville, St. Michael, and credit the Bay Primary School and its teachers with giving them the values, knowledge and ambition to become the men they are today.  Principal Alleyne said that it was absolutely necessary to give back to the community and to remain close to the students.

“Prior to COVID-19 I started a class four Tour where I and others interacted with class four students to motivate and inspire them as they head to secondary school. Now, this annual award is not only a chance to help others, but also to pay tribute to the work and love my mother put into us and many of our friends who went to school here” he said.

Akiel said he was humbled to have reached this stage of his life.

“I love working with the youngsters and am willing to always go that extra mile to make sure that they have options and see that they can become something good in life.”

The brothers said that now schools have returned to normal, they would be trying to play an even greater role at Bay Primary and surrounding schools in the future.  ]]>