SISTERS United for Prayer, Healing, Empowerment, and Restoration (SUPHER), a New York-based non-profit organisation, founded by Jamaican-born Pastor Reverend Marie Berbick, has awarded a US$1,000 scholarship to a high-performing Primary Exit Profile (PEP) student as the organisation prepares to formally launch
locally.

The first recipient of the Nikolai Graham/SUPHER PEP Scholarship is 13-year-old Daniella McKinley, formerly of Glowell Preparatory, now attending Holy Childhood High School.

Last Tuesday Daniella was presented with the scholarship cheque at a special Founder’s Day event hosted at Glowell Prep in Cedar Grove, Portmore.

The scholarship, which is named after former Glowell head boy Nikolai Graham, was conceptualised by him after he overcame sickle cell and other challenges to place in the top five per cent of Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) performers in 2015 — a feat which earned him a place at Campion College before he migrated to the United States.

Nikolai is Berbick’s son.

“Having experienced growing up in a single-income home, I thought it would be a good idea if we could partner with SUPHER, which was already working with single moms, to ease the burden for a promising student who needs financial support to pursue their high school education. We are very proud of Daniella.

“As they did for me, Glowell always sets a good foundation for their students. I know Daniella will do well at her new school and we are happy to contribute to making her journey a little easier financially,” said Graham, who is now in college in the US.

The scholarship will help Daniella cover school fees and other back-to-school expenses.

Daniella, who lost her father at the hands of gunmen at the age of two, was overcome with emotion at the presentation.

“I have learned many important things in life. My grandmother pushed me to value education because it is the key to success,” said Daniella. “This scholarship will help to motivate me to push more for my education. I hope to use this scholarship to lift some of our financial burdens and to be an inspiration to others. If I can do it, then you can do it too,” she added.

Principal of Glowell Prep, Gloria Jack, expressed appreciation for the scholarship, hailing Graham for giving back and establishing a partnership to do so.

“It is great when our students can come back and give back to the school. We are so grateful. Nikolai was a very astute student during his time here. Thank you, Nikolai and Reverend Berbick. This is significant for Glowell Prep — it’s a big thing for us and it will be documented in our school’s history,” Jack said.

SUPHER is set to officially launch its Jamaican chapter on Saturday, October 5 at Eagles Deliverance and Empowerment Ministries International on Red Hills Road in St Andrew.

With a mission to provide tangible support to women, at-risk youth, and other vulnerable groups, the launch will represent a significant step in expanding the organisation’s global outreach efforts.

Since its inception in 2013, SUPHER has been a lifeline for women dealing with trauma, abusive relationships, and emotional hardship. Over the years, the organisation has evolved into a more comprehensive support system, offering mentorship, counselling, coaching, and now skills training.

SUPHER has also launched a free social media management training programme for women in Jamaica, facilitated by popular social media influencer and talk show host Sheena Lyn Hanson, also known as Sheena Power Talk.

This four-week online course will equip women with essential social media management skills that can help them start their own social media management business. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion.