TWO hundred secondary and tertiary students have benefited from $23.7 million in scholarships from the J Wray & Nephew Foundation — the philanthropic arm of J Wray & Nephew Limited — in recognition of the company’s 200th year of operation in Jamaica.

J Wray & Nephew is Jamaica’s first registered company, having been founded in 1825 by John Wray.

As a measure of good corporate governance and philanthropy, the corporation founded the JWN Foundation in 2012 and in 2016 established the scholarship programme as its flagship initiative to safeguard the future of Jamaica’s children.

This scholarship programme underscores the foundation’s commitment to its slogan ‘Transforming Lives and Communities for a Better Jamaica,’ and underscores its commitment to fostering educational advancement and community development.

According to Marsha Haughton, director at the JWNF, the organisation’s 200th anniversary is only possible because of the continued support of Jamaicans.

“They have embraced our brands as the fabric of their daily lives and spending their hard-earned money with us. We never take for granted that our consumers have options but they have stuck with us through thick and thin so we must show our gratitude, and the foundation will mainly be the steward of these initiatives,” Haughton said.

Since the programme’s inception, the JWN Foundation has awarded more than 2,000 scholarships, empowering students across Jamaica to reach their full potential.

The scholarship recipients are from the communities where JWN has its operations and this year the organisation saw a remarkable improvement in the types of applications received.

“This year was tough and these students have demonstrated remarkable academic achievements and are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.

“Education continues to be a critical pillar in our CSR [corporate social responsibility] initiatives. It is our firm belief that education is the most effective tool in changing the trajectory of a person’s life and, by extension, a community and a country,” Haughton said.

She argued that the JWN Foundation’s scholarships programme not only helps alleviate the financial burden of education but also empowers students to excel academically.

“By providing these opportunities, the foundation continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future for Jamaica. Our employees come from these communities and this investment in education changes their perspective on what is possible for their families.

“These scholars will also form the talent pool from which employers, including JWN, will get new recruits, thereby helping with business continuity, productivity, and building brand Jamaica. A strong Jamaica naturally benefits all those who plan to live, build families and do business here,” Haughton added.

In the meantime Jamal Muirhead, final-year student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, credits his success to the unwavering support of the JWN Foundation.

“When I first applied, I did not receive the scholarship, but I had put in my application that I needed a pair of glasses. JWN Foundation stepped in and assisted me in getting the glasses and my whole life changed. I was able to see, and study and I have kept soaring to greatness,” Muirhead said.

Muirhead, who is completing a double major in international relations and political science, reapplied while he was still a student at Denbigh High School and was successful.

“I am so grateful for what they continue to do for me. I don’t think I would be where I am today had it not been for their intervention. They have put me in places that I never even imagined that I would be,” added Muirhead.