As a child attending the Crescent Primary School in St. Catherine, Dr. EV Richardson often walked to school barefoot. That experience left an indelible mark on her, and she made herself a promise: if ever she had the chance, no child should have to endure that same hardship.
On May 14, the philanthropist journeyed to May Pen Primary School in Clarendon where her foundation, Give Back Jamaica, gifted several students pairs of shoes. Students were also treated to uplifting performances by conscious artistes and insightful breakout sessions on career development. The students who were gifted shoes, were recommended by the school’s guidance department and principal.
In a phone interview with Freedom Come Rain, Dr Richardson reflected on the tough times that forged her resilient spirit.
“What many saw as hardship, I now see as beautiful preparation for purpose. Jamaica gave me more than just an education—it gave me resilience, creativity, compassion, and a deep, unwavering love for my country. It taught me the power of kindness and the strength of community. For all that Jamaica has poured into me, I see it not just as a duty but as a sacred obligation to pour back into her. Give Back Jamaica is my heartbeat—a movement born from gratitude, driven by purpose, and fuelled by love.”
Representing the foundation on the ground was its president, Hopeton Brown, who has been a part of Give Back Jamaica’s mission for a few years out of its 17-year history. Despite his long-standing involvement, he has never met Dr Richardson in person, as she focuses on securing resources from abroad while he leads distribution efforts in Jamaica.
Over the years, the foundation has made its mark in schools such as Crescent Primary, Austin Primary, Bellefield Primary and Junior High, and Harbour Primary. Since officially registering as a 501(c)(3) organisation in the United States in 2021, Give Back Jamaica has partnered with more than 40 Jamaican schools—and that number continues to grow.
Although Brown couldn’t estimate the exact number of shoes donated, he confidently shared that it is well over 3,000—and that doesn’t include the recent event at May Pen Primary.
Raising funds for these initiatives is no easy task. In addition to providing shoes, the foundation also distributes back-to-school supplies during the summer. Brown explained that they rely heavily on partnerships with like-minded organisations and the support of past students.
“Most of the schools I’ve visited, their alumni are their breadbaskets. We at Give Back Jamaica are not rich. We reach out to past students because you can never change the primary school you went to,” he said.
One such past student is Dr Annette Bartley, a U.S.-based paediatrician and businesswoman who graduated from May Pen Primary in 1978. Her return to the school was a deeply emotional and fulfilling experience. When Dr Richardson—her friend of more than 40 years—invited her to support the initiative, she didn’t hesitate.
Dr Bartley recalled their first meeting in the United States. She had just graduated high school and was working as a nanny during her gap year, caring for a toddler named Jessica.
“Jessica’s parents needed someone to clean the house and do the laundry. That’s how I met Dr Richardson,” she shared.
Their friendship, forged through shared beginnings and dreams, would evolve into mutual encouragement and a shared commitment to giving back.
“I like her vision. I like her mission. I like that she’s giving back. Even though she’s based in the U.S., she’s built a dream team in Jamaica. Individually, we can do so little, but together we can do so much,” she added.
Dr Bartley engaged students in a lively rap session, joined by members of the Clarendon College Class of ’83—two of whom were also past students of May Pen Primary. Their presence and participation served as a living example of what’s possible when community comes full circle.
While the event was filled with joy, it also carried a bittersweet note. As some children tried on their new shoes with beaming smiles, others stood outside the glass doors, quietly hoping for a pair of their own—a sobering reminder of the ongoing need.
But thanks to initiatives like Give Back Jamaica, hope continues to grow—one pair of shoes, one smile, one student at a time.