On Wednesday, the students drawn from the Joshua O. Williams, Edgar T. Morris, Violet Petty and Estridge Primary Schools were presented awards from a sum of $30,000. They were distributed by the programme’s founder, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency #7, where the schools are based.
Retired Chief Education Officer, Dr. Patrick Welcome, gave welcome remarks and told the students from various grades that they have earned the award.
“I want to congratulate the little boys and girls … who are receiving awards,” he said. “It is because of your hard work, because you have done well in your school, because you have learnt your lessons well, that you are here today and are being recognized for an award. Continue to work hard, to do your homework, to listen to your teachers, continue to do well in your school.”
Dr. Welcome also credited Prime Minister Harris for readily embracing the concept of the Help A Child Programme 13 years ago. He said that he was grateful that the students were being equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in education, which he described as a “weapon for change” borrowing a line from the late South African activist, hero, and legend, President Nelson Mandela.
Senior Education Officer, Debbie Isaac, said the establishment of the award was commendable and added that the Ministry of Education salutes the initiative and encourages other stakeholders to implement similar programmes.
She encouraged the parents of the recipients to make good use of the funds.
“Each parent here today, whose child is receiving this monetary assistance, must be very grateful,” she said. “Having to provide for your child, and in many cases children, getting access to this extra helping hand is to be very well received. Indeed, this will assist your child in getting things he or she may have need of to help them in their academic pursuits.
The ceremony was held at the Estridge Moravian Church, Mansion. It was attended by a number of dignitaries including Senator Honourable, Wendy Phipps, Permanent Secretaries in the Office of the Prime Minister, Osbert DeSuza and Andrew Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Osmond Petty, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ionie Willett Liburd, members of the diplomatic corps and others.
