14 trainee teachers to benefit from Canadian scholarship

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

MALVERN, St Elizabeth: Fourteen students from the Bethlehem Moravian College in St Elizabeth were presented with scholarships to continue teacher-training studies at the western Jamaica institution when the new college year starts in August.

The scholarships, which in total value CDN$25,000 (J$2.1 million) and which cover tuition fees, were awarded Monday evening at a short ceremony by representatives from a Canadian company, Bonnie Hoy & Associates.

Addressing the ceremony, Bonnie Hoy, company director, said her organisation decided to award scholarships to teacher-education students because of problems they faced in funding tuition.

Hoy stated that her company was pleased to contribute to the education of the Jamaican students at Bethlehem, as that institution played a significant role in the training of one of her staff members who hails from Malvern in St Elizabeth.

"Nothing is wrong with being poor. Nothing is wrong with not having any money. This money that I have given is the Lord's money, and He has decided that I should spend it for these students," said Hoy.

She called on all who were present at the handover ceremony to encourage the recipients.

guest speaker

Laval Wilkinson, guest speaker at the function and client services manager at the benefactor's company, who was a student at the college between 1997 and 2000, said he was pleased to have had a hand in the scholarship awards.

"Since the launch of the relationship between Bonnie Hoy & Associates and Bethlehem, several persons who learnt of my involvement have expressed their appreciation to me for remembering and giving back to my old school," said Wilkinson, who was trained at Bethlehem as a primary-school teacher.

"By virtue of accepting the scholarships, you have taken on a responsibility to share the blessings of receiving with others. Bonnie Hoy and Associates have chosen you because we believe that you have the ability and disposition to be builders of persons, agents of change and role models," he added.

Heather Murray, vice-chairman of Bethlehem's board, challenged the recipients to give back to the college. She said the scholarships fittingly came at a time when Bethlehem has started to make preparations for its 150th anniversary.

Jevauwn Smith, who replied on behalf of the recipients, said they were all delighted to receive the funds from the Canadian company.

"The money given to us will be utilised to make the sponsors proud. We are grateful for their kind gesture," said Smith, who is a first-year primary-education student at the college.