PATH Top Students Focused on Achieving Success

When 18-year-old Kimberly Burnett applied for the 2013 Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) Top Achievers Award, she never envisaged emerging the top female and, in the process, copping the top prize of $150,000.

The sixth form Immaculate Conception High School student, who earned 10 distinctions in the subjects she sat during the 2012/13 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, was speechlessly thrilled when she named the winner at the recently held PATH Top Achievers awards ceremony in Kingston.

“I did not think that I would be awarded because, even though persons commended me on my achievements, I just always felt that there had to be someone else who worked twice as hard as I did and was twice as impressive,” the elated teenager says.

But the road Kimberly travelled to academic success was not always smooth, and invariably riddled with uncertainties and challenging instability.

The last of seven children in her family, Kimberly says while there were times of financial strain, her faith in God, and reassuring and sincere words of comfort and encouragement from her mother and other well-wishers, kept her motivated.

“There were moments of frustration and just not wanting to be as dedicated as I was. But my mom would always be there to remind me of my dreams of becoming a doctor, and that hard work was required for the profession,” she says.

The support of PATH, she adds, was another motivating factor. The teen was placed on the social protection programme after her mother applied for assistance while she was still attending Salt Marsh Primary School in Trelawny.

Kimberly’s mother, Maud Downer Burnett, says PATH was a lifeline for her and her children.

“I thank God for PATH because I didn’t have job and I had to care for my children. I used to go around in the community and do washing and ironing and other domestic chores, and then had to hurry home before the children returned from school. Sometimes I didn’t even have lunch to give them, and other times I would walk a mile and a half to their school with whatever I could find to feed them,” she recalls.

Mrs. Burnett says she and her family suffered the indignity of being scorned, mistreated, and verbally abused by some persons because of their state. She points out, however, that she ignored the comments and encouraged her children to do the same.

“Some people made it look like I was the worse and sometimes they would mock my children; but I didn’t let it bother me. Sometimes Kimberley would break down and I would tell her to keep positive by reminding her of what the scripture says – ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen’,” says the optimist.

Kimberly yielded to those words, coupled them with her determination, and turned them into the lamp that would light the way for her to realize her ambitions.

“My academics were always very important. So I made do with what I had, because I knew that being at school and learning and achieving my best was my priority,” she states.

Kimberly, who is a member of her school’s fitness and football club, prefect council body, sixth form association, student council, and tutoring programme, says her cash award will be put to good use.

“I will use it to advance me academically, since I want to go to university, and use it to cover any other expenses leading up to that,” says the aspiring doctor.

Othniel Williams, a student of the Denbigh High School in Clarendon, and the top PATH male achiever for 2013, shares a similar story.

He was placed on PATH during his last year at Rest Primary and Junior High School, because of his mother’s inability to adequately provide for the home. However, he was undaunted by his situation and still persevered, to rise above the odds.

“My childhood was rough. I did not have the opportunities that many children had around me; so I used that as a motivation to excel,” says the media practitioner and marketing executive hopeful, who boasts nine CSEC distinctions.

Othniel also says his prize of $150,000 will go towards financing his tertiary education, but not before he rewards himself and his mother with well deserved gifts.

Both students have high praises for PATH and the important role it played in their lives.

Kimberly notes: “I think it’s an amazing opportunity that they’ve given to many students and a blessing, because where their parents cannot provide for them, PATH does that, and gives them an opportunity to succeed and motivation in knowing that there is someone to help them. Students on PATH should perform at their utmost. There is no excuse for them to think that they cannot work towards their goals and try to succeed.”

“A big thank you to PATH, they have done a lot and I am grateful,” Othniel declares.

He also encourages other students who may be facing challenges, not to give up. “Even when it looks like you cannot achieve your goals, do not give up; just adjust the action steps,” he adds.

“Study very hard because education is the key, and once you have achieved academically there in nothing in life that you cannot achieve,” Kimberly adds.

The PATH Top Achievers Award ceremony was first held in 2005 and aims to recognize the outstanding achievements of students at the primary and secondary levels. To date a total of 77 students have been rewarded.

Up to April 2014, PATH benefits totaling $ 322,296,970 were paid to 165,384 students.

PATH is a conditional cash transfer programme that is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and assists the most needy and vulnerable in society.

It was introduced in 2002 and utilizes the resources of the Ministries of Labour and Social Security; Health; and Education.