KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Thirteen students from Clarendon have received grants for their education from Gebbers Farms and employees in Washington, United States.

Last Friday, the students were each presented with a grant of $50,000 at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Kingston.The students are among the top performers at their schools and are pursuing studies related to agriculture.Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, in her remarks expressed gratitude to the Gebbers Farms and workers for their contribution to the students and also to Jamaica.“I sincerely thank the farm-workers and their employers for the benevolence and philanthropy in assisting vulnerable Jamaicans and giving back to their country,” she said.Robinson encouraged the recipients, 10 girls and three boys, to work hard to become certified agriculturalists, which she stressed is important to national development.Gebbers Farms representative, Bob Grandy, urged the students to complete their studies, as they will have a significant role to play in the sustainability of agricultural development.“This is a big world with a lot of people. There is going to be a lot of challenges to feed all of us over the next 20 to 50 years. It is so important that we have people involved in agriculture that learn the business and are committed to running agriculture in a sustained way. Of all the things you do, get your education. The more educated you are, the more successful you will be for yourself and for the people of your country,” he implored.Meanwhile, student at Garvey Maceo High School, 15-year-old Rushane Boothe, said that he was elated when told that he was selected for the grant.“I am glad because it will help me financially and it will help me to do better to get more [awards],” he said.The donation came from the proceeds of the farm-workers’ annual Jamaica Day activities in Brewster, Washington, where the farm is located, and from contributions from the employers.A total of $650,000 was donated, $400,000 from Gebbers Farms and $250,000 from the workers. Last year, 10 students from St Ann were awarded. The aim is to give back to vulnerable Jamaicans in all parishes from which the farm-workers are drawn.Gebbers Farms became involved in the Overseas Employment Programme in 2010 and took approximately 300 workers that year.In previous years, the Gebbers Farms workers made donations to the Vineyard Town Golden Age Home in Kingston, the Garland Hall Memorial Children’s Home in St. James and the Hanbury Children’s Home in Manchester.