Diaspora Group Commended for Support to Education in Jamaica

The Most Hon. Juliet Holness has lauded the Atlanta Jamaican Association (AJA) for its support of education in the island through its annual scholarship awards.

Mrs. Holness, who was delivering the keynote address at the AJA’s Independence ball at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway hotel on Saturday night (Aug.13), said by providing these yearly scholarships, the organisation is helping the recipients to better themselves.

She noted that education opens doors to opportunities.

“Your assistance is a remarkable one, which will no doubt help students achieve their goal,” she said.

Mrs. Holness also hailed the AJA’s contribution to Teen Challenge, which assists young people suffering from drug addiction, and other charities both in Atlanta and Jamaica.

She urged the AJA to continue its good work and to “use the principle of love to defeat hate, the principle of light to defeat darkness”.

During the function, which was held to commemorate Jamaica’s 54^th year of Independence,  six scholarships were presented –  two students attending The Mico Teachers’ College in Kingston; and four to students of Jamaican parents, who attend school in the United States.

They are Seon Williams, Janiqua Thelwell, Natalea Lue-Fung, Avery Little, Jhodi Webster and Tishawn Samuels.

AJA President, Alan Stewart, said that education is the organisation’s primary area of focus. He informed that the AJA will continue to award scholarships to deserving students in Jamaica and Atlanta.

“It is our hope to increase the number of scholarships awarded to students attending school in Jamaica,” he pointed out.

Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Franz Hall and Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Jewel Scott, brought greetings at the event.  Mr. Fabian James and Frank Watson were inducted as lifetime members of the AJA.

More than 500 Jamaicans and friends of the island were in attendance.