MORE than 100 children are to benefit from the $2.5 million in scholarships and grants being made available by GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), under its Western Union brand, this year.

The scholarships and bursaries are going directly to 105 children of Jamaicans enrolled in the Government of Jamaica’s Migrant Worker Programme.

“Hundreds of Jamaicans go overseas annually in a bid to provide a better life for their families. These grants are a step towards that better life,” marketing manager Sandra Forbes said in a release to the media.

The first 10 students — all of them from primary schools — received their portion this past week, during a hand-over ceremony held at the company’s head office in Kingston.

The parents, who have been hit with a six per cent increase in the cost of textbooks, are grateful.

“This takes a big strain off my pocket,” said Tyrone White, the parent of one of the recipients. “I can’t leave GraceKennedy and Western Union out. If it wasn’t for them, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Forbes, for her part, indicated it is the company’s pleasure to assist.

“GraceKennedy Money Services is committed to a brighter tomorrow for Jamaica. We at GKMS see these scholarships as an investment in our country’s future,” she said.

Meanwhile, GKMS has been developing a reputation as a sort of champion in primary education in Jamaica. This, with the launch of their I PLEDGE programme — an initiative designed to foster educational development and growth at the primary school level. At the same time, the company has reportedly invested more than $20 million to computerise schools islandwide.