LAST Wednesday, three former wards of the state received scholarships from Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) at the Spanish Court Hotel.

The three — Shallene Oliver, Orlanzo Powell and Dwayne Haynes — were awarded at the luncheon, which was also held to recognise former prime minister PJ Patterson.

Guest speaker Lisa Hanna, minister of youth and culture (MOYC), told the audience in her address that the achievements of the three showed that there are successes in the state system.

“Be careful of the labels we place on our children in state care… they are doing well, braving the odds and achieving excellence,” Hanna said.

Carla Francis-Edie, CEO of the Child Development Agency (CDA), said the agency always seeks to ensure the best outcomes for the children in state care.

“The Government of Jamaica spent $19 million last year on the education (secondary and tertiary) of our wards. Education is a top priority,” she told teenAGE.

Oliver who turns 19 next month, was a ward at Pringle Home for Children in St Mary, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing from International University College.

Powell, 23, is in his final year studying social work at Northern Caribbean University and was a ward at Muirton Boys’ Home in Portland.

Haynes, 19, will be entering the University of the West Indies in September to pursue a law degree, told teenAGE that he is very relieved to be a recipient of the scholarship.

“I didn’t have any idea how I’d pay for university. I’m very pleased. In fact, I heard that I was chosen for the scholarship the day before my birthday in May. My birthday wasn’t all that, but the news made my year,” Haynes said.

Francis-Edie told the gathering that the CDA and the MOYC also recognised 30 wards last year, who achieved between five and 11 passes in Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council exams, an action that will be continued this year.

The CDA head commended COJO on the continued support of the agency over the past decade.

“We have never received used goods from COJO, we only received the best and we really appreciate that. You have a heart for Jamaica and our children.”

The New York-based Jamaican charity COJO Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation whose mission is to help improve the health, education and general well-being of underprivileged children.

COJO disbursed US$4,000 to each to Powell, Haynes and Oliver US$16,000 raised from a benefit raffle held in New York, of which Sandals, Grand Palladium, and JetBlue Airways were sponsors.

The rest of the funds were used to make presentations of computers, appliances, office equipment and sneakers to New Vision Children’s Home in Manchester last Tuesday, Garland Hall Children’s Home in St James last Thursday, and Maxfield Park Children’s Home in Kingston last Friday.

COJO also recognised Patterson at the ceremony for his “commitment and support over the years”.

In her address, Hanna said that history will show that Patterson has made the most positive transformation to the children of Jamaica.

“It is under Prime Minister Patterson that the Office of the Children’s Registry, Child Care and Protection Act, Child Development Agency, Office of the Children’s Registry were all formed,” she noted.

Patterson, who was absent from the luncheon as he was attending the Africa Day conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was praised by founder and chairman of COJO, Gary Williams for his dedication to the charity.

J Wray & Nephew Limited was also recognised for its support of the charity.

Over the past decade, the volunteer-driven organisation has supported a number of institutions in Jamaica and the United States. Among them are the Alpha Boys’ Home, City of Refuge, Clifton Boys’ Home, Glenhope Place of Safety, Granville Child Care Facility, Homestead Place of Safety, Marigold Child Care Centre, Manning’s Boys’ Home, Muirton Boys’ Home, Musgrave Girls’ Home, National Children’s Home, St Augustine Place of Safety for Boys, Summerfield Boys’ Home, Windsor Lodge Children’s Home, Windsor Girls’ Home in Jamaica; and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.

COJO’s annual visit is made possible from proceeds raised from its annual scholarship gala, which will be held on Saturday, December 14 this year.

— MED