OVER three million dollars has been donated by the Joan Duncan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the JMMB Group, to provide financial support for 29 students attending secondary and tertiary institutions islandwide.

The scholarship recipients were selected based on their involvement in their schools and communities and high academic achievement.

Two new awards were made for the current academic year to Stacey-Ann Bailey, a first-year student at the University of Technology who is pursuing her undergraduate degree in food services management; and Carlene Hibbert, third-year student at Mico University College, specialising in special education. They were awarded $300,000 and $150,000 respectively.

The remaining awards went towards the foundation’s continued support of previous scholarship recipients at primary, secondary, tertiary and special-needs institutions.

Kim Mair, CEO of the Joan Duncan Foundation, said the Foundation is committed to assisting the next generation to enable them to tap into their potential for greatness.

In keeping with the foundation’s promise, and in partnership with JMMB’s branch network, funding for scholarships has also been provided to select educational institutions to aid outstanding members of their school community who are financially challenged. These institutions include Brown’s Town Community College, Northern Caribbean University, Edna Manley College and the Area 4 Police Civic Committee Educational Trust Fund.

“I am happy to have been named as one of the scholarship recipients because I am now able to achieve my lifelong dream to be a special education teacher, where I can make a contribution to the wider society and a significant difference in the lives of young children with special needs,” Hibbert noted.

“I am now one step closer towards realising my passion.”

Bailey, meantime, has described the scholarship as “a great opportunity that will be a life-changing experience”.

All recipients of funding from the foundation are also exposed to transformational leadership training through workshops organised by the foundation. These workshops are designed to help individuals realise their full potential, reshape their relationships, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, while living in an extraordinary way.