FROM passing just two Caribbean Examinations Council subjects to becoming a registered nurse at Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, Kadian Montaque’s journey is a story of faith, perseverance, and the impact of educational support.

Growing up in Darliston, Westmoreland, Montaque understood early that pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse would require determination. As the first person in her family to complete higher education, she faced financial challenges that could have derailed her plans, but she refused to let her circumstances define her future.

“After receiving those two subjects, I went back several times and continued sitting the examinations because I was determined to improve myself and create better opportunities for my future,” she recalled. “That experience taught me not to allow one result or one setback to define me.”

Her persistence eventually took her to Sigma College of Nursing and Applied Sciences in St Ann. Today, she is a registered nurse and is pursuing a nine-month paediatric nursing programme as she works towards becoming a certified paediatric registered nurse.

For Montaque, nursing is rooted in a deep desire to care for others, particularly children and families.

“I have a genuine love for caring for people, and I particularly have a passion for children,” she said. “I wanted to develop my knowledge and skills so that I could provide quality, family-centred care, and advocate for children and their families.”

Financing that dream, however, was not easy.

“There were many times when I wondered, ‘Where is the money going to come from?’ ” she recalled. “I did not come from a wealthy family, so financing my education was a major concern.”

She applied for the Scotia Insurance Education Wealth Plan Scholarship, now known as the Headstart Scholarship, during a period of uncertainty. Being selected, she said, gave her both financial relief and renewed confidence.

“When I found out that I had been selected as a recipient of the Headstart Scholarship, I was really excited and grateful,” she said. “I also felt proud of myself because, for me, it represented a new beginning.”

The scholarship helped offset her educational expenses and reduced the pressure on her limited savings. More importantly, it affirmed her potential at a time when the journey felt uncertain.

“Sometimes when you are going through challenges, especially financially, you begin to doubt yourself and wonder if you are really capable of achieving certain things,” she said. “Receiving the scholarship reminded me that I was capable. Someone had seen potential in me, and that motivated me to believe in myself even more.”

That encouragement pushed her to keep seeking new opportunities and scholarships while staying focused on her longterm goals.

Looking back, Montaque believes the support made her path lighter and more manageable. “While I would have continued to fight for my dreams, the scholarship definitely made the journey lighter, more manageable, and more encouraging,” she said.

Eventually the registered nurse wants to become a family nurse practitioner.

To young people facing similar challenges, her advice is grounded in the same faith and determination that have carried her through her own journey. “Don’t let where you come from or your financial circumstances determine where you are going,” she said. “Have the zeal, work hard, persevere, seek opportunities and, most importantly, trust God throughout the process.”

She also expressed gratitude to Scotia Insurance for continuing to invest in education. “You may never fully know how many lives you are changing through initiatives like this,” she said. “My story is one example of what can happen when someone invests in a person’s potential.”