JAMAR Brown came to national attention after his story was aired on television just over a week ago, as he sought assistance to attend college following the tragic death of his father and then his mother shortly thereafter, three years ago.

On hearing the young man’s story, Otis James, who is the founder of the James and Friends Education Programme (JFEP), said he was compelled to help this brilliant young man whom he says has great potential.

“”I have a friend who called me one night and told me that they were putting on a party to raise funds for a youngster who did well in school and wants to go to university. He has no mother or father, and I can identify with that on a personal level because my mother died 19 years ago and I have never known my father.

“So today I am giving — towards his school expenses — three different types of scholarships,” said James.

The first is valued at $300,000 which will go towards tuition over the three years. He will also get $360,000 towards lunch or groceries for the period. After his first year he will get an opportunity to be a part of the work and travel programme to go overseas through Flyer Zone, which is a subsidiary of the JFEP. “He just needs one chance to go to college, he just needs to go for the first year, and after that — if he is smart and wise and have ambition — he will not need no more help from anyone,”” said James.

Brown, an 18-year-old past student of Denbigh High School in Clarendon, said despite the uncertainties he still persevered with his goal of attending The University of the West Indies, Mona, to pursue studies in political leadership with a view to giving back and effecting changes — instead of just waiting for it to happen.”

However it was not always smooth sailing. In 2020, while preparing for external exams, his world as he knew it started to fall apart. One night while at home with relatives, gunmen broke into the family home in an attempted robbery and unfortunately, his dad never made it out alive. He said his father died trying to protect his family.

“”After that I had to brace myself and prepare for exams and try to get into the frame of mind to work hard, even if things seemed impossible or if it feels like I can”t go on any further. There were many nights when I felt like I couldn’t keep going but I just felt that this is something I needed to do or everything else would just be the same,”” said Brown.

Unfortunately, his mother died seven months after his father.

“”I lost my mom when I was about to start exams. My mom had a stroke while I was at school, and then one week later I got a call that she passed away in the night. Since then things haven”t been the same but, by the grace of God, I have been able to push through. I am very grateful and excited for this because at first I was wondering: Why am I even going to college when I don”t even know how the money will come by?’ But my grandmother and other family members believed in me, even when I was doubtful about it. God was there for me the whole time and kept pointing me towards university, just kept saying: ‘Go, go; don”t stop here.’ I was thinking about a gap year but I couldn’t do it. God just kept showing me signs that I should pursue this and not stop any at all,” he said.

Brown says he misses his parents, particularly on special occasions. “”There are times when I think: ‘What if my father was here for this?’ or ‘What if my mom was here for this?’ and then I get a little sad, but my family is here for me so I just live off their comfort and know that my parents are always watching.””

Brown”s grandmother, Kathleen Pusey, cried tears of joy when she realised that her grandson was getting the assistance he needed.

“When his mother and father were alive he was always living with me. The night when his mom died he ran from his room to the living room and he said ‘Grandma! Grandma!’, and I said, ‘What happened?’ and he said, ‘Mommy dead,’ ” she recalled, adding that she is yet to get over her son’s death.

“I am unable to get over his passing but for me, tears is a language God understands,” Pusey said, noting that she still weeps for her child.

She said she was not concerned about her grandson getting in with the wrong crowd because she raised him well. “I know he has to go to school and with good people around us and I know God will touch somebody”s heart [he will be okay], so I am very thankful to Mr James for what he is doing for us,” she said.