St. Cecilia MP Cynthia Pratt yesterday appealed to members of the public to donate school attire to assist needy children.
Last week, Yamacraw MP Melanie Griffin urged the government to expedite the process of requests for uniform assistance.
Pratt commented that the Department of Social Services is stretched.  As her colleague did last week, Pratt said some children are out of school because they do not have uniforms.
She is asking people with used uniforms to bring them to her constituency headquarters on Market Street between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"There are a number of mothers who are still struggling," she said.
"They are not able to get proper uniform for their children and those children are still at home," she added. "The uniforms will be cleaned and distributed to those in need. There have been some persons who have responded already."
Pratt also highlighted the importance of getting children involved in wholesome extra curricular activities.
The principles learnt, including discipline, perseverance and being a good team player can be translated in the working world, according to Pratt.
"You must know what it is to be uniformed, to be on time and to be a part of an organization. All of these things help to build you for life," said Pratt.
"If it had not been for sports many of us would not have been able to get a college education. Look at the amount of leaders in the world today and their background; 90 percent of them were athletes before they became leaders."
The former deputy prime minister who has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education, recently completed her biography entitled 'No Equal to God's Chosen.' The book chronicles her life growing up in the inner city and shows that growing up in poverty does not mean one cannot develop into a national leader.
The government purchased 100 copies of the book and will distribute them to various schools, said Pratt.
Her book is also available for $15 on Amazon.com, the popular web-based company that produces the Amazon Kindle eBook Reader.
Pratt said that she is a firm believer that despite a child's environment or background there is still hope, if that child is willing to learn and persevere during "the trying times".
She has agreed to continue spreading her message by going into primary schools and speaking with students.
Pratt also plans to speak to other students, particularly those from the inner city, about her book in hopes that it will encourage them "so they would recognize the importance of an education."
"This is my life and I would love to share my story so children who are down in the gutter without hope, will know that there once was a woman [who was also where they are today]," Pratt said.

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