$386,000 donated to Mico unattached male youths education programme

The Mico University College on Wednesday received a cheque in the amount of $386,000 towards its Pre-University Men’s Programme (PUMP), which provides financial support to unattached young men who are from economically challenged backgrounds, enrolled in the programme.

The funds were raised from this year's staging of The Mico Pump It Up 5K Run/Walk 2017.

Michael Boyd, alumni, and CEO of Mikiayana and major sponsor of the 5K Run/Walk, speaking at the handing over ceremony, expressed delight in being part of this event, “I will continue to support the Mico, because it wasn’t just me who passed through here, my brothers came here, and I have two siblings who attended the Mico practicing. I am proud to see this venture come to fruition and I will keep supporting,”.

The PUMP It Up 5K Run/Walk began in 2016 as an initiative to raising funds for providing scholarships for young men enrolled in the Pre-University Men’s Programme, which was started in 2008.

Wednesday's cheque represents the second entrenchment from the event.

PUMP student, Romario Prendergast, commended the work of the programme, “It was a pleasure for me to enter through the gates of the Mico University College. It hasn’t been an easy road coming from the community of Trench Town as growing up I never saw myself becoming a teacher. Since being introduced to the programme and coming here I have been able to matriculate into the degree programme as well as receive promotions at my workplace because of my higher education. I thank the Mico for that.”

Director of the School of Continuing Studies Franklyn Bennett pointed out, “Sponsorship is a critical feature, yes the programme is academic but it is embedded in outreach, empowerment, and rebirth. The transformation is sometimes slow, but financial assistance is necessary.”

He continued, “The sponsorship is most critical when they have matriculated and have four years ahead, that is when the real tuition cost kicks in,”.

The University College will host its third staging of the PUMP IT UP 5k Run/Walk this November and it is hopeful that corporate companies will come on board in a greater way to support the cause and financially support unattached young men giving them an alternative to criminal and violent lifestyles.

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