SHANIQUE Williams is one of 10 wards of the State whose dreams of pursuing a tertiary education are one step closer to fruition, thanks to scholarships awarded by Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc (COJO), a New York- based charity for Jamaican children.

Williams, who was presented with a scholarship valued at US$5,000, is now enrolled at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, where she is reading for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. She told the Jamaica Observer that she hopes to pay it forward in time.

“I want the donors to know that it’s going towards something great,” the aspiring actress and drama therapist said.

Williams became a ward of the State when she was just eight years old, and said she is grateful to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) for the role it played in her life since.

“I was not only motivated by my passion for the arts, but the other young ladies from the institution where I was, they really inspired and encouraged me to excel,” the 19-year-old said.

Eighteen-year-old Petal Robinson received a scholarship of a similar amount to kick-start the second year of her psychology studies at Northern Caribbean University (NCU). Robinson, who was model student at St James High School, is the first person in her family to pursue tertiary level studies, and as a member of the CPFSA’s Children’s Advisory Panel (CAP), she is passionate about advocating for children’s rights.

Similarly, Moesha Williams, who also received a grant of US$5,000, is concerned with the well-being of children. She is in her final year of reading for a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at NCU, where she attained a 3.45 GPA and ‘cum laude’ status in the last academic year.

Sasha-Gaye Williams, 19, also wants to impact the lives of children. Her scholarship goes toward her final year in pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education (with a double major in biology and integrated science and human and social biology) at Shortwood Teachers’ College.

Rounding off the recipients of US$5,000 scholarships is David Mattis, a second year law student at The University of the West Indies. In giving the response on behalf of the awardees at the handing-over ceremony, which was held at Jamaica Pegasus on September 11, Mattis, who has maintained a 3.6 GPA in law school, said he wants to be a role model for youth growing up in State care.

“We are honoured to be appreciated for having positive attributes, self-will, self-motivation, and optimism,” he said.

He commended the Jamaicans in the Diaspora, and local entities, who contributed cash and kind to the organisation to make the awards — totalling just over US$40,000 — possible. Mattis also extended gratitude to the staff at the CPFSA for guiding the wards on the course to academic excellence.

Another five students were awarded US$3,000 each toward their studies. They are Kemesha Tingle, a second-year nursing student at The University of Technology, Jamaica; Dacia Reid, a second-year education student at Bethlehem Moravian College; Teslyn Walker, a second-year logistics student at Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Moneague College campus; Omario Grey, a first-year student at Montego Bay Community College, who is pursuing an associate degree in architecture & construction technology; and Jamar Ricardo Banton, a first-year education student at The Mico University College.

The value of the scholarships awarded by COJO this year almost doubles the US$25,000 awarded in 2018. The number of awardees was also increased from six to 10. Over the last six years COJO has awarded scholarships to 25 students, amounting to over US$100,000.

CPFSA CEO Rosalee Gage-Grey told the Observer that the number of passes attained by wards of the State in external examinations have been trending upwards in recent years.

“Every year we do a schedule of those who need support (to finance higher education) and this year it was over 130 students. When we started out we only had a few, but we have now started to recognise them when they do GSAT (now PEP), and when they do CSEC and CAPE, so that is providing a motivation for the others to do well. Last year we had just under 100 students who excelled in CSEC and CAPE, and this year the number is over 130,” she explained.

Founding chairman of COJO, Gary Williams said he has been kept motivated in the 25 years since COJO was established by the joy of seeing the children become productive citizens.

“Furthering their education is key,” he said. “The nation’s greatest resource is its children.”

He said more attention needs to be placed on corporate social responsibility in Jamaica, especially when it comes to investment in the nation’s future.