Monthly Archives: January 2024

Fifteen social impact projects to be undertaken by 11 JN Circle Chapters across the country have each received a grant of up to $1.5 million from the JN Foundation.

JN Circle Ocho Rios, Port Maria and Gayle received grants for a total of four projects; while Westmoreland, Spanish Town, and Morant Bay received grants for two projects each, and Mandeville, Junction, Lucea and Santa Cruz were each awarded grants for single initiatives. 

Claudine Allen, general manager, JN Foundation, explained that the projects were selected based on defined set of criteria to include the innovativeness, impact, feasibility and sustainability of projects, as well as the extent to which the groups collaborate with others within the JN Circle network and external partners to implement the initiatives.

“In selecting the successful applicant, we looked at the originality and creativity in addressing societal or community challenges. We also looked at the expected outcomes and the potential to create positive change. The groups were also required to present a realistic and achievable plan, as well as show evidence of long-term viability and potential for ongoing impact beyond the grant period. There was also a requirement for collaboration among the JN Circle Network or external partners,” she outlined.

“I am happy for all of you because I know the journey, and I want to say congratulations… because the application process demanded you package your ideas according to world class standards. Well done to all of you,” she told Circle members at a recent luncheon in St Ann where the awards were announced.

The JN Circle is a transnational network of JN members and customers who, by leveraging the JN network, serve as advocates and community change agents to improve their own lives and positively impact their communities. There are some 16 JN Circle Chapters spread across all parishes across Jamaica. The network also thrives in Toronto, Canada and London, England. 

Pixley Irons, president, JN Circle Ocho Rios, Port Maria and Gayle, whose Chapter received four grants, said his group is passionate about education and submitted proposals geared towards addressing education challenges in his locale.

“We submitted proposals for a rainwater harvesting system for Ferncourt High School; repairs to be done on Gayle Primary Reading Room; Jeffrey Town Basic School had asked us for some appliances; and the refurbishing of the Clapham Basic School. We asked members of our Circle to ask around the communities to see what projects were there that we could undertake. When we got the feedback, we got more projects than we could assist and we shortlisted these,” he outlined.

“There are many things that need to be done but we placed special emphasis on education because it is important. We need our students to be comfortable in their environment. All our projects surround educational institutions, and we are pleased that we were able to submit these projects and they qualified for a grant from the JN Foundation,” he added.

Among the other projects to benefit from individual grants were JN Circle Port Antonio to furnish the Port Antonio Women’s Centre; JN Circle Mandeville to install a solar water heating system for a homeless shelter in Manchester and JN Circle Junction to introduce a reading programme in Alligator Pond, Manchester.

JN Circle Westmoreland also received funding to refurbish the Paul Island Basic School and to upgrade the Hatfield Basic School in the parish; JN Circle Spanish Town received funding for an environment project targeted to youth in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and JN Circle Morant Bay were presented with funds for a Digital Access Project for the St Thomas Parish Library and to establish a playground at the Chapel Hill Basic School. JN Circle Lucea will use its funds for the Maryland Basic School Playground, and JN Circle Santa Cruz will develop a playground at the Northampton Basic School so that the institution can receive certification from the Early Childhood Commission (ECC). The Santa Cruz Circle will also upgrade the Goshen Primary School so it can be certified by the ECC.

Photo Caption: Top of the Class recipients of the JN Foundation Scholarship Programme, Gabrielle Numa (second left at front) of Campion College and Taevion Morgan (second right at front) take a group photo with JN Group management team and their parents.

Five outstanding JN Scholars who performed exceptionally well at the end of the academic year 2022-2023 were celebrated by the JN Foundation, at a luncheon dubbed ‘Top of the Class’, recently at The Jamaica National Group’s Corporate Office on Oxford Road in Kingston.

JN Foundation awards outstanding students who performed admirably in the grade six (PEP Exams) with annual grants valued at $50,000 for the first five years of secondary study, on the condition that they maintain set academic performance standards.

Miss Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation notes the Foundation aims to add value for scholars.

“The JN Foundation will ensure that your journey with us is rewarding, and one of the things we will focus on is the building of character by helping you to show up in spaces with confidence and to articulate and present yourself well,” she informed students at the luncheon with guests such as the chairman of the JN Foundation, Parris Lyew-Ayee; the JN Group chief executive officer, Earl Jarrett and other JN senior managers and parents.

The students were commended by Mr Jarrett, who encouraged them to be all-rounders and to get involved in extracurricular activities.

“Seek to find opportunities where you can be part of a team, whether in sports or volunteering, in areas that support your ambitions. These are important things that we should do, as one needs to be able to share,” he pointed out.

Mr Jarrett urged the students to adopt good values such as dependability, authenticity, respect, and transparency, which he said are the values that The Jamaica National Group embraces.

“They are simple words, but if you live them every day, it will make a big difference,” he pointed out.

Jermaine Nairne, senior manager, Talent Performance and Culture at The Jamaica National Group, congratulated the students and encouraged them to make the most of their high school years.

“In making the most of your journey, ensure that you demonstrate humanity. So, one of the repeaters of sustained success is your emotional intelligence. Ensure that you are deliberate about working on your emotional intelligence, and that is your awareness of self, management of self and how you manage your relationships with others,” he advised.

Shereen Jones, assistant general manager, and chief information officer at The Jamaica National Group, commended the students and encouraged them to focus on being well-rounded individuals.

“The academics demonstrate your capacity to do well, and it will get you into a job, but the truth of the matter is that your growth potential, how far you will go, and  how well you succeed are going to be dependent on a number of things we call the soft skills, and how rounded you are is going to depend on how well you work with others,” she said.

Lead, Youth and Education Programmes at the JN Foundation, Shanna Kaye Wright Vaughn, said the ‘Top-of-the-Class’ initiative was conceptualised to encourage the JN Scholars and their parents to continue to aim for and to celebrate success.

“We are looking forward to greater things in 2024, as we seek to interact more with our scholars,” she said, noting that there will be initiatives such as mentorship opportunities and financial literacy activities for the JN scholars.

Photo Caption: Parris Lyew-Ayee (left), chairman of the JN Foundation presents Ky-Lee Dyce with her certificate at the JN Foundations PEP Scholarship Awards ceremony, recently.

Twelve-Year-old Ky-Lee Dyce, JN Scholarship recipient for the parish of St Thomas is an avid reader, a hobby she attributes to her success in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

“She will read any book she can find, but she especially loves her Bible! “You always see her with her Bible!” shared Anna Dyce, Ky-Lee’s grandmother.

“Even when she is studying, she will study for a while and then take a break to read her Bible,” she informed.

Ky-Lee’s love for the Bible is not unusual, said her grandmother, as she was brought up in the church and is a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day), White Horses where her pastor, O’Dean Bailey, speaks highly of her. Mrs Dyce said the family places emphasis on being spiritually focused and credits hard work and prayer to Ky-Lee’s success.

The former student of White Horses Primary and Infant School in St Thomas scored 341.7 in the PEP Exams to gain a place at Campion College, the first school of choice. She was also awarded the JN PEP Scholarship for the parish of St Thomas.

Mrs Dyce describes her as a focused and disciplined child who never gives her any trouble. “When I heard that Ky-Lee was getting the award [JN Scholarship], I was excited! I know she likes to do her work. She is always on top of her schoolwork,” her grandmother shared beaming with pride.

“When she comes home from school, the first thing she does is bathe, get something to eat and go straight to doing her homework,” she shared.

Ky-Lee expressed how happy she was that her hard work and determination had borne fruit.

“When I found out I got this scholarship, I felt this incredible wave of relief, joy and accomplishment all at once and I couldn’t have been happier,” she said.

Described as passionate, curious, and reliable, by her grandmother, Ky-Lee is dedicated to achieving her goals and making her family proud. In preparation for school each morning, she wakes up at 3:30 a.m. and is on the bus to school by 5:15 a.m. That may be early for many youngsters, but Ky-Lee is a determined young lady who says she sees the benefit in making the journey from St. Thomas to Campion College.

“She has a good group of friends who sit together on their laptops and encourage each other to do their work,” said Mrs Dyce.

Mother, Kimiella Moore, shared that she is incredibly proud of her daughter. “Her remarkable achievements come as no surprise considering her innate ability for independent learning.”

Her father, Kerwayne Dyce, also expressed immense pride for her achievements, said, “The school scholarship bestowed upon my daughter is a testament to her unwavering commitment and incredible potential. It fills my heart with immeasurable pride and joy.”

She has a strong circle of support as along with her grandmother and parents, her aunt, Devita Dyce takes pride in helping her with her homework and motivates her to study hard.

The future software engineer believes that if she continues to work hard, she will achieve her goals.

Primary school teacher, Sharlene McDonald, who taught young Ky-Lee in grades five and six at White Horses Primary and Infant, described her as a dedicated and disciplined student.

“Ky-Lee has a great passion for knowledge. She was a role model to her peers and was elected head girl at White Horses Primary and Infant School. She was a jovial student and enjoyed doing her schoolwork but never missed out on an opportunity to run and play with her peers,” she fondly remembered her student.

“She wasn’t the best runner though”, she laughed, “because each time she went outside to run and play with friends I could always look for them to be carrying her back in their arms saying she fell.

Her former teacher continued: “She loved to debate and would always refer to the Bible whenever arguing a point. She is a ‘Bible girl’ – always saying something about her Bible. I know she will go on to do great things because of her passion for knowledge.”

The JN Foundation PEP scholarship and grants are given to students who display academic prowess, leadership potential, and a commitment to excellence – qualities that Ky-Lee has exemplified throughout her educational journey.

Since 1983, The Jamaica National Group has been supporting the educational pursuits of hundreds of young people at both the secondary and tertiary levels through the scholarship programme.