THE family of the late Jamaican-Canadian businessman, Leslie Ameen Josephs, is to offer an annual scholarship to his alma mater, Jamaica College.

The scholarship, to be named in Josephs’ honour, will be awarded to a needy sixth-form student studying business.

Josephs, the founder of Kiskimo Jamaica, which produced local “Kisko pops” in the 1970s, emigrated to Canada in 1975 and, with his wife, founded Toronto-based Kisko Products Inc in 1977 to continue producing and distributing the freeze pops in his adopted land.

The company has since added newer products, including premium juice products, and its name has become synonymous with outstanding summer frozen products across Canada. He died in December 2007.

Glenor Josephs, accompanied by her sons Mark, Peter and Randy, made the announcement recently, at the 22nd annual dinner and dance of the Jamaica College Old Boys’ Association of Canada in Toronto.

“Two thousand (Canadian) dollars per year will be given to complete the education of a student that best exemplifies working towards pursuing a career in business, demonstrates perseverance in his personal and academic life, respects his peer group and teachers, demonstrates leadership among his peers, and gives a helping hand to those in need,” said Josephs’ wife.

She explained that the scholarship will continue for the two years the student spends in sixth form, as long he maintains full-time enrolment and successfully passes his courses.

General manager of Kisko Products Inc Mark Josephs, implored the audience to reach out to help just one person.

“If each of us can impact the life of one individual, you have absolutely no idea how far that one individual can go to achieve great things,” he said. “I want to encourage you to consider how you, whether as an individual, a company or a group, can do something in the future for Jamaica College Old Boys’ (Association) and for the students back home.”

President of the Jamaica College Old Boys’ Association of Canada, Charles Francis, thanked the Josephs family for their generosity and encouraged others to follow in their footsteps.