Hanover Charities gave students $29m boost this year

WESTERN BUREAU:

Hanover Charities (HC) this year handed out $29 million in support to some 205 students in the western parish.

The Katrin Casserly-led charitable organisation has been playing a pivotal role in helping students access tertiary-level training through funding generated for its annual Morris-Watkins Memorial Scholarship Programme.

It has also provided grants to several schools and other organisations, serving the residents of that parish for many years.

Casserly told The Gleaner that despite the unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, the organisation was still able to respond to calls for assistance.

“There are so many in need, and now more than ever, due to the ongoing impact of the novel coronavirus in Jamaica,” said Casserly. “It is incredibly rewarding for us that we are still able to distribute that amount in scholarships to our students during this time.”

She explained that although COVID-19 restrictions prevented the organisation from hosing an awards ceremony, the beneficiaries are were excited for the assistance to pursue a variety of courses, ranging from medicine and nursing to business, education, law, agriculture, tourism, culinary arts, engineering and other disciplines.

“The 205 scholars who were unable to attend an awards ceremony, normally hosted annually, but still beam with pride and sang high praises to the team for their great generosity in helping them to realise their dreams of attaining their education,” said Casserly.

The charity’s signature fundraiser event – the Sugar Cane Ball hosted annually at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas – was done through a virtual raffle held earlier in the year, along with some other minor events to raise funds.

“Hanover Charities was able to raise in total US$469,000 this year alone, with the help of its faithful and committed donors,” said Casserly, who added that the organisation was also able to spearhead another project, dubbed Container of Love, through which much-needed items were shipped to the island for distribution to help persons in need in western Jamaica.

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