TWO unrelated stories published in yesterday's Sunday Observer have given us cause to reflect on the positive developments in this country that are too often overshadowed by the terrible things that happen here.

The cynics, we are sure, will quickly point to the role of the media in highlighting the negatives that abound in this society and, in some extreme cases, even blame the press for those negatives.

The cold, hard fact though, is that if the press were to ignore those negative developments we would not be honouring our compact with the Jamaican people to provide them with the kind of information that would help them make informed choices. Basically, we would be joining those among us who prefer to put their heads in the sand in the hope that our problems will go away.

Thankfully, Mrs Janette Stewart is not one of those people who subscribe to what we prefer to call 'the ostrich approach' to problem-solving.

As reported in yesterday's Sunday Observer, Mrs Stewart, after the passing of her husband, Mr Peter Stewart, in 2004, started a scholarship fund in his memory that helps to keep inner-city youngsters in school.

Last Saturday, Ms Candi Rookwood and Mr Kemar Jones, who both live in Jones Town, and who became the first two students to benefit from the scholarships after being successful in the Grade Six Achievement Test, expressed their gratitude for the assistance at a function organised by the fund to recognise their academic success and to present them and others with back-to-school packages.

Of significant note is the fact that Mrs Stewart and her colleagues who run the Peter Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund provided these youngsters with more than financial assistance. They gave them emotional support and mentorship as well.

Young Mr Jones probably best described the benefit of that support at last Saturday's function when he said: "There were times when it wasn't clear to me and I was falling behind but they continued to support me. They told me positive things and they believed in me. You have brought out a new person in me, one who believes in the positive, one goal-oriented person."

That, no doubt, would have given Mrs Stewart and her colleagues the satisfaction that they have made a significant difference in at least two lives. As such we commend them and acknowledge the fact that they are helping others to achieve their goals through education.

We know that there are other Janette Stewarts in Jamaica and that many of them give their time and effort without thought of reward. Given that quite a lot of Jamaicans are in dire need of assistance, there can't be too many benefactors of Mrs Stewart's ilk.

The second story to which we referred was that of the Peterkin family who must still be brimming with pride at the achievements of father Vincent, mother Sandra and son 21-year-old Vincent Jnr.

It's worth repeating the historic fact that all three graduated in the same ceremony at Northern Caribbean University two Sundays ago -- the father with a PhD in Education, mother with a Master's and son with a Bachelor's degree.

Theirs is a story of strength, determination, support and strong family life that should serve as an inspiration to all Jamaicans.

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