WITH the start of the new academic year just a few weeks away, more than 2,000 students benefitted from much-needed financial boost at three major back-to-school fairs held by New Fortress Energy (NFE) Foundation from Friday, August 11 through Wednesday, August 16.

Since its inception in Jamaica in 2016, the LNG provider, through its foundation, has provided financial aid and school supplies to more than 10,000 infant, primary and secondary school students, bursaries to more than 200 students, laptops and tablets to more than 550 primary, secondary and tertiary students. As part of its tertiary STEM scholarship programme, the company has also invested over $100 million in scholarships for students studying at The University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Jamaica, and Caribbean Maritime University. For this year, students benefited from over $35 million in financial aid and school supplies.

The award package includes vouchers valued at $10,000 each for more than 1,000 infant, primary and secondary school students to purchase uniforms and supplies from partnering stores in the respective parishes, plus bursaries valued at $50,000 each for 60 high school students to cover external examinations and tuitions. Students also received backpacks, notebooks and school supplies, as well as medical and dental screenings for over 300 students, courtesy of the St James Health Department and private doctors and dentists from the Hayes community in Clarendon.

The fairs, which were held in St James, Clarendon and St Catherine, where NFE has its operations, were hosted in collaboration with the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry in St James, the Wembley Centre for Excellence in Clarendon and the Old Harbour Bay Development Centre in St Catherine. The students were selected by their guidance counsellors, teachers, principals and community leaders based on their grades and their financial needs.

Verona Carter, VP, New Fortress Energy, said: “We know that there are hundreds of brilliant students who have the potential, the passion and the desire to use education to secure a brighter future for themselves and their families. That is why our back-to-school programme is so important to us. Our aim is to help reduce the number of high potential students who are falling through the cracks each year. And so on behalf of our chairman and founder, Wes Edens, we remain committed to investing in our communities through education.”

In addition to the financial boost received from New Fortress Energy, its partners and community leaders who spoke during the each of the respective fairs in St James, Clarendon and Old Harbour, encouraged the students to own their future and believe in themselves.

Custos of Montego Bay, Rev Conrad Pitkin, said: “No one gets to write your destiny. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. Remember that nothing is beyond your reach as long as you are willing to dream big, work hard and stay focused on your schoolwork. Learn new things and make mistakes because every mistake you make is a learning step towards growth. You are special, you are loved, and you can achieve anything.”

Custos of Clarendon, William Shagoury, speaking a few days later at the Fair in Clarendon, said: “We want to thank New Fortress Energy for always giving back to our young people and helping to uplift and enrich their lives. Boys and girls, you are here because you performed very well, and you were selected by your teachers and communities. Your biggest show of gratitude is how you continue to do well in your school work. Stay focused because the only one who can stop you from being successful is you.

Meanwhile Tamar McKenzie, director of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaking on behalf of President Oral Heaven, reminded the students that, “education is a gift that no one can take away from you. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead because they are stepping stones to your dreams and aspirations. Your dreams may have many challenges but with determination, hard work and the support of your community, you can achieve greatness. You are our promise to a brighter future.”