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Photo Caption: Jennifer Martin, JN Foundation board member presents Xiomara Gordon, the 2024 JN Foundation PEP Scholar for Kingston, with her certificate during the JN Foundation scholarship award ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston recently.

Despite women remaining underrepresented in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and engineering specifically where they occupy less than 20 per cent of engineering-related positions worldwide (according to the Society of Women Engineers), Xiomara Gordon, the 2024 JN Foundation Primary Exit Profile (PEP) scholarship recipient for Kingston, is determined to make her mark in the field.

Inspired by her love of problem-solving and innate curiosity sparked by online videos, Xiomara believes a career in engineering is the perfect match for her talents. It has been an area of interest for the Vaz Preparatory alumna since age six. She is now a first former at Campion College in St Andrew.

“I’ve been watching videos about engineering, and it looks like such an exciting and creative field. I love figuring out how things work too, so I feel like this career would be a perfect fit for me,” she said.

Although she has not yet decided on a specific engineering discipline, she is already charting a path forward, with plans to pursue her studies in Germany. She began laying the groundwork for her engineering journey as early as 2021, when she purchased the book, The 50 Greatest Engineers by Paul Virr and William Potter.

Looking ahead, she plans to join her new school’s engineering club and continue excelling academically, ensuring she meets the requirements for admission into top engineering programmes.

Xiomara has already built an impressive academic record. After sitting her PEP exams at Vaz Prep earlier this year, she received awards for Most Outstanding Performance in Mathematics and Language Arts and awards for Outstanding Performance in Science and Ability.

Campion College was her dream school and in addition to passing for the institution of her first choice, her PEP grades earned her one of the five-year JN Foundation scholarships, for which she simply said she is grateful to receive. She was among 37 scholarship recipients recognised for their PEP achievements at the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship awards reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston recently.

“The PEP exams were ok, they weren’t hard,” she said adding that, “I really wanted a scholarship and I’m thankful that I got the JN scholarship.”

Besides her interest in engineering, Xiomara likes tennis. She is also an active member of the Crochet and Key Clubs at Campion.

Her mother, Kerrian Johnson, who works in property management and administration, said she is proud of her daughter’s work ethic, independent nature and drive for success.

“She has high standards, and her teachers will tell you, if she gets 98 per cent she cries. Xio has always been a focused child and continues to be that way throughout school. I am her biggest cheerleader and supporter,” she said.

Describing her daughter as creative and bubbly, especially around family, Ms Johnson shared how she enjoys watching Xiomara explain complex concepts and break down difficult principles for her peers. She added that her daughter also has a passion for building with Legos.

With a background in marketing and public relations, Ms Johnson said she fully supports her daughter’s ambitions and is excited to see her make waves and break barriers in STEM.

“I want Xio to know that she can go and be anything she wants to be, whether it’s in Germany or anywhere else. When she was little, she always said she wouldn’t leave me, but I tell her all the time to go and explore the world, understanding that wherever I am is home,” Ms Johnson noted as she expressed gratitude to the JN Foundation for providing Xiomara with a scholarship.

“I was happy to get the news, and I really wanted this. It will certainly assist with her educational expenses,” Ms Johnson said.

Photo Caption: Chevanese Peters (left), project coordinator at the JN Foundation presents diapers, food supplies and milk-based products to Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, founder of Mustard Seed Communities. Sharing in the moment is Omar Wright, lead, environment, and community development programmes at the JN Foundation. The presentation took place on Thursday, December 19 at My Father’s House on Mahoe Drive in Kingston. The JN Group through the JN Foundation made the presentation under its ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative, which is supported by members of staff at The Jamaica National Group. The initiative is in its third year.

Support for the Mustard Seed Communities has been bolstered with a generous donation from the JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Jamaica National Group, to help address the increasing needs of the approximately 500 residents across Jamaica in its care.

The donation, which included nearly 4,000 diapers, canned foods, and milk products, comes at a critical time as the organisation expands its care to include 58 Haitian children. The donation was made by members of staff of The JN Group.

Father Garvin Augustine, executive director of Mustard Seed Communities International, expressed gratitude for the support, noting the significant impact such contributions have on the lives of the children and the organisation’s ability to provide for their diverse needs.

“Every little thing makes a difference,” he said at the official handover of the items recently at the Mustard Seed Communities’ Mahoe Drive location in St Andrew. “This donation allows us to bring dignity and joy to the children we care for, many of whom have special needs,” he added.

The JN Foundation’s initiative, ‘Comfort for Christmas’, now in its third consecutive year, focuses on providing much-needed supplies to support the day-to-day operations of Mustard Seed’s apostolates in St James, St Ann, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and Manchester. This year’s contribution included items essential for the care of children who rely on feeding tubes and specialised dietary products.

Candice Nichols, social impact assessment officer at the JN Foundation, highlighted the growing demand for food and basic supplies following the Mustard Seed’s acceptance of Haitian children in need of care at the Jacob’s Ladder apostolate in St Ann earlier this year.

“We acknowledged the increased need and made an effort to include canned food this year alongside our regular donations of diapers and milk products,” Ms Nichols said.

She disclosed that the JN Foundation’s continued support of Mustard Seed Communities extends beyond the holiday season, with past contributions including emergency aid after Hurricane Beryl. Nichols is urging others to contribute, emphasising that even small donations can make a meaningful impact.

“Sometimes people hesitate to give because they think their contribution isn’t enough,” she explained. “But whether it’s one pack of diapers or $1,000 Jamaican dollars, every effort adds up to help us meet the needs of these children.”

Ms Nichols further stated that with the latest donation, the JN Group through the JN Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Mustard Seed Communities in their shared mission to improve the lives of Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens.

Mustard Seed Communities care for children with disabilities, abandoned children, and marginalised groups, requiring continuous support. They provide shelter, food, medical supplies, therapeutic interventions, and basic household items. Father Garvin Augustine emphasised that donations of any kind, whether financial or in-kind, help sustain the mission and ensure the children’s wellbeing.

In the early years of prep school, Kiarrah Wisdom was could not read. The situation was so dire that her mother, Nekeshia Gray, became concerned that something might have been wrong.

However, through hard work and determination, Kiarrah overcame that obstacle and as a reward for her growth, became the JN Foundation Scholarship recipient for the parish of St James after she achieved a score of 387.4 in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Exam, which was enough to place her at her first choice, Montego Bay High School.

“Kiarrah’s story is very inspiring,” said Miss Gray. “Up to Grade Two she was unable to read. I remember one Saturday I was with her at piano class and I gave her a book which was outside of the regular scope of books and she was unable to break down the words.”

She added, I became concerned and I asked myself ‘what is this?’ I pulled her from piano lessons, while her sister continued. “I took her to Fontana Pharmacy and asked her to choose a book that she liked to get her to start reading. She chose a book that she wanted to read and for two terms, every Saturday, that’s what we did, sat under a tree in Mr. Gilzene’s yard and read.”

Both Kiarrah and her mother are so appreciative of the book that they have refused to part with it.

“We still have the book, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt because it is one of those that we haven’t given away,” Miss Gray revealed.

For Kiarrah, overcoming that hurdle meant that she could excel in her academics at school. Her efforts were rewarded when she was named as the JN Foundation PEP Scholar for St. James.  The JN Foundation Scholarship is awarded to students who excel in external exams at the primary level for the past 40 years.

This year, the JN Foundation awarded a total of 47 scholarships. Of the amount, 37 were five-year awards: 14 parish scholarships; three JN Bank Easi-Save County scholarships; and 20 children of JN Group staff members who received the Building Excellence and Achieving More Success (BEAMS) scholarships. The remaining 10 awards were one-time grants presented by JN Money Services Limited to high-performing students who did not receive full scholarships.

“I have been working hard since grade three and put in a lot of effort to do well because I wanted to go to my first choice, Montego Bay High School,” she said. “I wanted to get a scholarship and believed that I could get one.”

The 12-year-old who said mathematics was her favourite subject hopes to become an accountant said although she was confident that she could achieve a scholarship, she was still nervous about the possibility of not doing as well as she wanted.

“I was a little nervous while studying because I kept asking myself ‘what if I don’t get to go to the school or my first choice or make my family proud?’ I decided to study hard and put my trust in God that I would do well,” she added.

Miss Gray is extremely proud of her daughter’s achievements and credits the success to Kiarrah’s dedication.

“Her memory is super good. However, before PEP she put in a lot of effort. She was always up before 5 ‘o’ clock studying and then got ready for school before I even got up. She was very determined,” explained Miss Gray.

“We are very happy because she really wanted to go to her first choice, Montego Bay High School because her older sister attends the institution and is in fourth form and she was adamant that she wanted to be with her older sister,” the mother added.

Miss Gray describes Kiarrah, who is the second of three daughters, has being very exuberant.

“Kiarrah is smack in the middle of my three children, but she doesn’t behave as a middle child. She is very rambunctious. You have to remember her whenever you interact with her. She doesn’t allow anyone to overshadow her and she is always determined to make her mark wherever she goes,” she said.

  As she immerses herself to the challenge of high school, Kiarrah is determined to follow the footsteps of her mother by choosing a similar path.

“I love numbers that’s why mathematics is my favourite subject. I love it because I hope to become an accountant,” she said.

Miss Gray added, “She likes my job because I am a Chartered Accountant and this is the reason she wants to follow my footsteps.”

Photo Caption: Jazmine Stewart, 2024 JN Foundation PEP Scholarship recipient for St Mary strikes a pose at her graduation alongside her academic awards from Retreat Primary School. She is accompanied by aunt, Nadine Benain (centre) and mother, Diandra Thompson-Stewart (right).

From age nine, Jazmine Stewart, former deputy head girl of Retreat Primary School and JN  Foundation PEP Scholar for St Mary, knew that she wanted to go to York Castle High School in Browns Town, St Ann.

“I planned out my school choices before I was even in grade five,” the now 13-year-old scholar said.

She worked diligently to achieve, what was at that time, her most important goal. From completing past papers to attending morning and evening classes, she did all she could with her objective in mind. “Just the fact that I could have a chance at going to York Castle kept me motivated to study. It’s kind of a big deal,” she continued.

As the youngest of 3 siblings, she benefited from the encouragement and guidance of her parents, Tristan Stewart and Diandra Thompson Stewart, who were proud to know their daughter was an exceptional student from a young age. “I knew she would get her first choice [York Castle High School], she’s been keeping her grades up since, well…, kindergarten so I wasn’t surprised,” Mrs Thompson Stewart said.

Having consistently placed at the top of her class, Jazmine’s hard work and dedication culminated in an impressive score of 365.3 out of the maximum 400 on her PEP exams. On graduation day, her efforts were recognised as she took home several academic awards, including the coveted title of ‘Top Girl’. This did not shock Mrs Thompson Stewart, “PEP is a lot, but the fact that she had a stronghold on it mentally helped. She was always like, ‘Mommy, I got this.’”

Together, the mother-daughter duo applied for scholarships to ensure the academic reign continued into her secondary school journey. But despite her planning, one thing Jazmine could not prepare for was a surprise call from her mother during lunch.

Overjoyed, Mrs Thompson Stewart couldn’t help but share the good news: Jazmine had been awarded a five -year scholarship from JN Foundation.

“I was so excited, I couldn’t help it,” Mrs Thompson Stewart explained.

“I didn’t believe her,” Jazmine continued, “She called me in the lunch line and texted me: ‘If I’m lying, I’m dying.’”

For 41 years, the JN Foundation Scholarship Programme has rewarded students like Jazmine, whose dreams of academic excellence mirror the Foundation’s goal to support youth development. This year, 37 scholarships and 10 grants have been awarded to exceptional students from across the island to help them achieve their educational and personal development goals.

“She’s one of those students that you expect to do exceptionally well. To watch Jazmine win something is a sight and I’m excited to see what she does with this scholarship,” said her Grade 6 Mathematics teacher, Mrs Tamara Howard-Hemmings.

“You know it’s like a reward for her, because the praise is coming from outside now, not just from us the family or teachers, saying that she’s brilliant. It shows her (Jazmine) that when you put in the hard work people will see it and keep her motivated to do great,” noted her father, Tristan Stewart.

Now, having completed her first term at York Castle, the teen remains excited about all her school has to offer. She continues to enjoy the atmosphere of her favourite class, information technology, and has joined the Homemakers Club and Key Club. The young optimist also hopes to participate in sports once she has settled in.

The transition to high school has not been without its difficulties, as Jazmine juggles school, extracurricular activities, homework, and a long daily commute which sometimes involves her returning home well after dark. Regardless of the challenges her parents remain proud of their daughter’s zeal, “It’s refreshing to see one so young, so committed to her studies,” her dad mused. “Yes, my favourite thing about ‘Jaz’ is her resilience and persistence. I always tell her to do her best and she does,” her mother lauded her.

From a dream at nine-years-old to walking the halls of York Castle High School with pride, the JN Foundation PEP Scholarship has encouraged Jazmine to continue paving the way for her future success as an orthodontist. While Jazmine continues to make her other dreams a reality, she encourages PEP students to, “think about how proud your friends and family will be, of you for going to your first-choice high school.”

Photo Caption: Rose Miller, Financial education consultant at the JN Foundation, and facilitator at the JN Financial Academy.

Jamaicans are being urged to adopt smart financial practices this Christmas to avoid accumulating debt and be in a better position to benefit from an improving economy.

Rose Miller, Financial education consultant at the JN Foundation, and facilitator at the JN Financial Academy, highlights the ongoing challenges of personal debt management in Jamaica, attributing them to poor financial habits.

“Jamaicans know the importance of saving, but this knowledge often doesn’t translate into better spending practices,” Mrs Miller explained.

To help Jamaicans manage their money this festive season to avoid financial strain, Mrs Miller shares five key tips for managing money wisely:

1. Invest Any Extra Income or Clear Existing Debts

Christmas sometimes brings extra income, such as bonuses. Instead of splurging, Mrs Miller advises channelling these funds into investments.

“Consider using the bonus to pay down existing debt,” she suggested. Alternatively, she recommends placing your bonus in a fixed or long-term savings account to earn higher interest, or explore stocks, mutual funds, and other financial instruments offered by regulated institutions.

2. Create and Stick to a Budget

“A specific budget for Christmas spending is essential,” Mrs Miller emphasised. Prioritise needs over wants and allocate funds only for necessary expenses and activities.

For those using credit cards, she warns against overspending:

“Remember, your credit card is a loan with high interest rates. Spend within your means and aim to settle the balance before the due date to avoid interest charges.”  This will also ensure  that you truly enjoy benefits such as cash-back rewards and  no point-of-sale fees.

3. Be Creative with Gift Giving

Gift-giving doesn’t need to break the bank. Mrs Miller suggests tapping into personal creativity to craft unique, meaningful presents.

“Homemade gifts often cost less and hold greater sentimental value than store-bought items,” she noted. Additionally, opting for shared gifts for households can reduce costs and simplify shopping.

4. Share the Cost of Christmas Dinner

Hosting a holiday dinner should not mean shouldering all the expenses. Mrs Miller encourages families to adopt a collaborative approach.

“Ask guests to contribute by bringing their preferred drinks or specific dishes,” she proposed. “This spreads the cost and reduces your financial burden.”

5. Spend and Invest Wisely

Mrs Miller concludes with a reminder that thoughtful financial decisions can lead to a more enjoyable Christmas and a more financially stable New Year.

“By planning and prioritising, you can celebrate the season without the stress of mounting debt,” she said.

Photo Caption: Reverend Phillip Johnson (centre), daughter, Danielle Johnson (right0 and Sydoney Preddie, lead, youth and education programmes at the JN Foundation share a family vision board on how families can be strengthened at a JN Foundation Parent and Child Empowerment session held recently under the theme, “The Productive Family Unit; Serving Individual Ambitions.”

Family dynamics and mental health took centre stage at the JN Foundation’s Parent and Child Empowerment (PACE) seminar, as panellists offered advice on fostering unity and resilience within families.

The seminar was held recently, in observance of Parent Month, which was observed in November under the theme, ‘Serving Individual Ambitions: The Productive Family Unit’ and was held in the form of a panel discussion with father-and-daughter, Phillip and Danielle Johnson. The seminar was moderated by Sydoney Preddie, lead, youth and education programmes at the JN Foundation.

Reverend Phillip Johnson emphasised the importance of maintaining an open line of communication within the family. “Every family has conflicts,” he noted, “but having a space for roundtable discussions where everyone feelings are heard, can make a significant difference.” Such discussions, whether addressing serious matters or minor grievances, help to eliminate division and encourage productivity in the home, he noted.

Another highlight was the conversation on healthy competition versus unhealthy comparisons, especially within goal-orientated families. Panellist, Danielle Johnson shared her experience studying alongside her mother at university, describing it as more collaborative than competitive.

“At the end of the day,” she said, “I aim to be a better version of myself rather than compare myself to others.”

Reverend Johnson offered wisdom on safeguarding mental health amid life’s pressures and also highlighted the importance of each family member having alone time to rejuvenate and the need to support this activity as a family unit.

 “Peace begins with the mind and extends to the home, the church, and the community,” he stated. He also pointed out the need for leaders and families to guard against external stress infiltrating their inner sanctum. Taking vacations, enjoying family meals, and maintaining a tranquil environment were highlighted as strategies for mental well-being.

From playful moments like family games nights during the pandemic, to adapting to societal changes such as social media use, the discussions underscored the importance of flexibility in navigating challenges. “Even in tough times,” Danielle Johnson said, “those shared moments of laughter and support bring us closer and keep us grounded.”

Leesa Kow, managing director of JN Bank, who welcomed participants at the session, urged parents to consider how they could nurture their children’s ambitions, while children were encouraged to reflect on how they could uplift their parents and siblings.

“In each of our families, it is very important that we find out what our ambitions and aspirations are and work together as a team to ensure that no dream gets left behind,” she said. Drawing on Jamaican proverbs such as “One han’ cyah clap” and “No man is an island,” she reminded participants of the value of collaboration in achieving success.

Miss Kow said the JN Group, through its JN Foundation, underscored its commitment to empowering families as part of its People First strategic pillar. “Families are not only central to our communities but also to our success as an organisation,” she shared. “When families grow and thrive, we all succeed.”

She said this commitment to family support is reflected in JN Group’s decades-long investment in programmes that uplift families through education, community development, and social empowerment.

Photo Caption: Mickalia Grant (left), IT business manager, The Jamaica National Group; and Candice Nichols, (centre), social impact assessment officer, JN Foundation; present Christine Madden Watson, administrator, Sophie’s Place, with supplies raised through the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative. The handover took place at Sophie’s Place last Christmas. 

For the third consecutive year, employees across the JN Group will spread goodwill for Christmas by engaging in a heartwarming outreach to support Mustard Seed Communities through the JN Foundation “Comfort for Christmas” initiative.

This year, eight apostolates of the Mustard Seed Communities are set to benefit from the effort, which is a feature of the Group’s employee giving programme. They are: Jerusalem in St Catherine; Widow’s Mite and Jacob’s Ladder in St Ann; Sophie’s Place, My Father’s House and Mary’s Child in St Andrew; Gift of Hope in Manchester and Blessed Assurance in St James.

Candice Nichols, social impact assessment officer at JN Foundation, who leads on ‘Comfort for Christmas’ pointed out that the proactive support and generosity of employees have been the backbone of the success of the outreach mission.

“Giving back is deeply embedded in our culture at JN, and employees live this value every day. Their commitment to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is inspiring, and it is aligned with the values of the JN Group. Their effort shows how collective action can create meaningful change by extending kindness and support to those who need it most.”

Ms Nichols is encouraging the wider society to partner with JN employees by making monetary contributions to the JN Foundation’s Fuel a Nation savings account at JN Bank number RSV-002094590587 held at the Duke Street branch, with ‘Comfort for Christmas’ in the description to ensure funds go directly to the initiative.

“With the additional support from the public, we can provide even greater contribution to Mustard Seed Communities. The needs are immense, and every donation allows us to extend more help. We encourage everyone to join in this effort to make a meaningful difference this Christmas,” urged Ms Nichols.

Building on last year’s success, where employees and the JN Foundation provided nearly 6,000 diapers, 300 packs of milk, a commercial printer, and an industrial pressure cooker, the goal this year is to exceed those efforts.

Camille Barrett, escalation agent at the TCS Contact Centre & Debt Management, has already started organising a diaper drive in her work location to support the ‘Comfort for Christmas’ initiative. Last year, she used her own funds to purchase diapers and sought support for the initiative by encouraging her colleagues and members of the public to contribute.

“I enjoy giving back. I’m really big on charity. It’s something that’s in me from a tender age,” she said, adding that she was influenced by her mother, who for many years helped the less fortunate in her community and hosted children from a girls’ home every Christmas.

‘I grew up seeing them as my sisters,” she related. “I grew up not seeing myself better than anybody else.  One thing I’ve learned is to always help somebody.  It comes naturally.” 

Immediately after the outreach initiative at Mary’s Child last year, Camille returned with a hair stylist to braid the hair of some of the residents of the Home.

Christine Madden Watson, administrator at Sophie’s Place, one of the beneficiaries, expressed anticipation for the contributions, while noting the enormous need for consumables.  

“We are always elated to partner with JN to provide for the residents,” she said, adding that diapers are always in great demand as hundreds are used each month at her location.

She also pointed out that with additional support provided by ‘Good Samaritans’ through donations, the home has been able to operate efficiently in caring for the various needs of the residents.

Sophie’s Place is home to 23 special needs children and adults who range from age three to 38.

For many years, JN employees sponsored children at Sophie’s Place, helping with the cost of prescription medications.