KINGSTON, Jamaica—With students across the island back in the classroom following the start of the new school year last week, the H&L Foundation has completed its nationwide outreach, awarding over $3.5 million in academic grants to 90 students.

The grant recipients—ranging from primary school to university level (ages six to 23)—are children of Hardware & Lumber Limited (H&L) employees.

To qualify, students maintained an attendance rate above 90 per cent and an academic average of at least 50 per cent or a 2.0 GPA, with a significant portion recording scores in the 80s, 90s, and 100s.

Following a main symbolic handover ceremony and treat in Kingston for 41 of the recipients, the Foundation completed its islandwide coverage with regional sessions held in Mandeville and Montego Bay on September 3 and 4 for families in central and western Jamaica.

Bright smiles all around as Sherilla Gordon Mowatt, Brand Manager at Courts Optical Jamaica, presents Amelia Walsh with her token and award as one of this year’s H&L Kids Education Grant recipients.

Speaking at the Kingston event, Olive Downer-Walsh, chairman of the H&L Foundation, commended the students for their academic dedication and emphasised the foundation’s core mission.

“Our children represent our highest hopes and brightest future, and seeing their passion for learning fills us with immense pride,” said Downer-Walsh. “At H&L, we believe that supporting our employees means standing firmly behind their families. Investing in these young scholars along their academic journey is a natural extension of building the H&L family, ensuring that as our company thrives, our families grow and succeed together.”

In addition to financial support, each student received a Back-to-School package loaded with essential learning supplies and benefited from complimentary eye screenings conducted on-site by corporate partner Courts Optical.

: Darius Thompson proudly receives his award from Olive Downer Walsh, Chairman of the H&L Foundation, marking a special moment in his educational journey.

“We are proud to partner with the H&L Foundation in supporting an initiative that invests directly in the future of Jamaica’s children. We believe that education and vision go hand in hand, and through our complimentary eye screenings, we are helping to ensure that students have the opportunity to see clearly, learn confidently and reach their full potential. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting families and creating meaningful impact in the communities we serve,” shared Sherilla Gordon Mowatt, brand manager at Courts Optical Jamaica.

Among this year’s cohort is 10-year-old Darius Thompson, a fifth-grade student at Belmont Park Primary School and son of H&L driver Sebert Thompson.

“I used to think math was boring,” said Darius, who is also an avid football player. “Now I see puzzles everywhere.”

Reflecting on his son’s academic growth, Sebert Thompson noted, “He’s good with his work, he loves it, and he likes to challenge himself.”