Jamaican-born US national provides financial aid to Old Harbour students

Approximately J$200,000 has been reserved, she told Old Harbour News, to aid as many students as possible ahead of the start of the new academic year which officially begins September 2.

Ho, 43, has been in dialogue with “sponsors” based in the US after deciding to act upon her own initiative to help out.

So far seven students have already benefited from the first tranche totaling J$55,000. The beneficiaries are Rodane Walters, Dimario Boothe, Marusha Haye, Shackquel Bell, Toryan Graham, Amishmell Graham and Taphel Cain.

Selection is based on a referral generated from persons of absolute repute within the Old Harbour space. Each child must be a resident of the community who is experiencing financial difficulties and displays a fair level of academic proficiency. Valid and authentic documents must be presented before any payment is effected.

“I don’t know why I’m doing this, but it needs to be done” Ho, the 1997 Miss Old Harbour Festival Queen, told Old Harbour News.

“Giving back to my community is an act I take great pride in. My biggest and sole reward is the realization that I’ve made a significant change in someone’s life. And if not significant then a positive change nevertheless.”

She said the funds generated came from her personal savings and donations from friends who are also natives of Old Harbour but now reside in the States.

A frequent traveller to her home country, Ho is acutely aware of the myriad of societal issues on the Caribbean island where education is said to be free up to the secondary level.

However, despite the government championing its ‘free education policy’, many schools require of parents to pay a contributory fee – inclusive of registration in some cases – to offset associated expenses related to its operations.

The cost varies depending on the institution, ranging from $2,500 to in excess of $30,000.

It’s a charge that many parents just cannot afford and a concern expressed to Ho, who works in the medical field.

Students whose tuitions are paid in full don’t have to worry about being called out of a class room or being told they can’t sit an exam because they have a balance. This affects the child mentally and sometimes causes embarrassment amongst their peers,” the Texas resident said. “We as a community must ensure this never happens.”

She commended Simon Vaz from New Mexico and Pennsylvania resident Sheneal Amos, a former Old Harbour High School alumnus, for coming on board, while noting there are other contributors but they wish for their names not to be made public.

Since the start of her outreach to those in need, she has gotten emotional listening to the difficulties being faced by the parents who cannot be faulted for a lack of effort.

One particular case she recalled was that of Old Harbour High School rugby talent Rodane Walters. She was advised that the talented player was promised great help by an entity but has been left in limbo awaiting support. His matter was immediately addressed, she said.

“There are no benefits for me, nothing tangible gets sent my way,” said Ho, a past student if Marlie Mount Primary and Old Harbour High schools.

“Here’s an important life lesson,” she added “no matter how tough you think your life is there’s always someone who has to face challenges that are even tougher than yours. You don’t have to be rich to give back, just sacrifice something for someone.”

She said the second tranche of payment will be disbursed as soon as all the appropriate documents are submitted.

“Every week we will pay for student’s tuitions – or whatever is the correct terminology the school is using – until the allotted fund is finished,” Ho said.