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A dream come true

Published:Sunday | September 1, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Scholarship recipient Patrice Cunningham (right) is presented with a cheque by (from left) Lata Sablani, Ram Gurnani, and her boss Rajkumar Sablani, at a farewell reception.
From left: Sunil Vangani, Vijay Sadrangani, and Chandra Kumar.
Scholarship recipient Patrice Cunningham is all smiles as she receives words of encouragement from Rotarian Bhagwan Chuganey.
Lata Sablani (left) and Chandra Kumar share lens time at a reception for scholarship recipient, Patrice Cunningham.
From left: Ranjit Penchala, Ram Gurnani, and Jayaprakash Miriyala, at a reception for Patrice Cunningham at Rajkumar and Lata Sablani's home in Mango Walk in Montego Bay.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Patrice Cunningham was unable to control the tears last Monday night as she collected a cheque of J$800,000 for her tuition at the Norquest College in Alberta, Canada.

The dreams of the mother of two and 200 other nursing students were dashed in 2011 when her opportunity to receive a practical nursing diploma was pulled from under their feet.

The course they were doing through a local pre-university programme fell through because of financial discrepancies and the students were left holding the bag.

Cunningham's life changed eight months ago after she started working for Rajkumar Sablani at his store - La Casa Del Habanas in Falmouth, Trelawny.

"When she came to work for me, she not only brought a smile to our business, but she came with a commitment, dedication, and honesty, and was a hard worker - things that every boss prays for in staff," explains Sablani.

Helping to realise her dream

Sablani said, the more he got to know Cunningham, the more he knew he had to help her realise her dream of becoming a practical nurse.

"A 1,000 mile journey starts with one step," he said, so he made his first step through friends via Facebook and the Indian community. Within a day, he had secured US$8,400 to contribute to the US$1,600 that Cunningham has amassed herself.

On Monday night, Sablani and his wife Lata hosted all the donors at their Mango Walk home in Montego Bay, where they also used the opportunity to bid Cunningham farewell.

"God sent Mr Sablani into my life," noted a gracious Cunningham, admitting that 10 months ago she never anticipated she would have found the funds, much less to board a plane to Canada.

"He (Sablani) kept encouraging me. He said, 'Apply to the school, I will see what I can do'."

With the help of his friends, Sablani did it!

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Janet Silvera