The Jeanette Grant-Woodham Education Foundation has been lauded for assisting past and current students of Tivoli Gardens High School in Kingston with bursaries and grants.
State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says the gesture is one that should be replicated by other non-governmental organisations islandwide.
“Every student should have the opportunity to excel, because hard work, dedication and perseverance must be rewarded,” he said.
Mr. Green contended that students must be encouraged to believe that “all things are possible”.
“Belief in the potential of each individual translates to belief in the community and, ultimately, our beloved Jamaica,” he said.
Mr. Green was speaking at the Foundation’s second fundraising dinner at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, August 5, where he represented Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.
Meanwhile, Mr. Green is maintaining that education remains pivotal to spurring economic growth and prosperity in Jamaica.
He contended that education has an “immense impact” on persons’ decisions noting that as a knowledgeable nation “we will have a better society, making Jamaica the place of choice to excel in your chosen field or endeavour”.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maurice Smith, who represented Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, noted that the fundraising effort represented an “important investment” in the education of needy students who demonstrate potential.
“Let us remember that the aim is to give an opportunity to those students,” Dr. Smith said, while expressing the hope that the initiative will “continue to create opportunities for (them)”.
The Jeanette Grant-Woodham Education Foundation is a non-profit organisation which commenced in August 2014.
Its fundraising dinner is among the events held to generate resources to assist students enrolled at Tivoli Gardens High School, who excel in academics, sport, art and culture.
In March 2015, the Foundation provided grants to 10 students in sixth form and awarded bursaries to past students attending Mico University College and the University of Technology, Jamaica.
Source: Jamaica Information Service