6th Annual Scholarship & Grant Awards Ceremony

21 Students Receive Educational Support as GJCI Celebrates Another Year of

Opportunity

Giving Jamaica Chances Inc. (GJCI) was honoured to host its 6 th Annual Scholarship

& Grant Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at deCarteret College

in Mandeville, Jamaica.

This year's ceremony celebrated 21 students whose determination and aspirations

reflect the promise of Jamaica’s youth. Eighteen educational grants were awarded to

students representing six high schools:

• Belair High School

• Bellefield High School

• Bishop Gibson High School

• deCarteret College

• Mount Saint Joseph High School

• Manchester High School

Three additional students received scholarships through the generous support of:

• Don & Leonie Ashdown

• Giving Jamaica Chances Inc.

• Pioneer Chocolate

Edward Davy Belair High School Pioneer Chocolate Co Scholarship 2026, Sanique Thompson Mt. St.Joseph High School Don and Leonie Ashdown Scholarship 2026, Odarek Smikle D.C. GJCI Scholarship 2026

Students, parents, educators, sponsors, donors, and volunteers came together to

celebrate the recipients and the opportunities made possible through education. Each

grant and scholarship represents more than financial assistance – it represents

encouragement, opportunity, and a community investing in a student’s future.

GJCI extends sincere appreciation to deCarteret College for hosting this year’s

ceremony, with special thanks to Principal Prim Lewis, Guidance Counsellor Dennis

Banner, and the deCarteret team for their hospitality and support.

None of this would be possible without our sponsors, donors, volunteers,

guidance counsellors, teachers, school administrators and supporters who

continue to believe in the potential of Jamaica’s young people.

Beyond the presentation of scholarships and grants, this year’s ceremony gave Giving

Jamaica Chances Inc. an important opportunity to listen directly to the students it

serves.

Twenty-three students completed feedback surveys, providing valuable insight into their

educational goals, needs, and experiences. The response to the ceremony was overwhelmingly positive, with 87% of students rating the event Excellent or Very Good

and 95.7% rating it Good or better. No student gave the ceremony a poor rating.

The students’ responses also reflected ambition and determination. They identified

goals that included improving or maintaining strong grades, staying focused on their

studies, building confidence, earning academic recognition, participating more fully in

school activities and developing leadership skills. Some students set academic targets

of 80%, 90% or higher.

Students also identified practical areas where GJCI support can make a difference,

including school-related expenses, books and materials, transportation, internet and

technology, as well as helping them remain focused and motivated.

For GJCI, the feedback represents more than positive comments about an annual

event. It provides a baseline for following students’ progress and measuring the impact

of the organization’s support over time — ensuring that the voices of the students

remain at the heart of its mission.

As we celebrate another successful year, we are already looking ahead to our 7 th

Annual Scholarship & Grant Awards Ceremony. With the continued generosity of

our supporters and new partners joining our mission, we hope to open even more

doors for deserving students next year.

We invite you to continue to journey with us. Your donation, sponsorship, or

support can help give another student the chance to learn, achieve, and build a

brighter future.

Together, let’s keep Giving Jamaica Chances.