Jamaican students in Canada fêted

TORONTO:

Some Jamaican and international students who graduated from colleges and university in southern Ontario recently were fêted for their achievement in Hamilton, Ontario.

The first graduation dinner, which was held at the Hamilton Church of God banquet hall on June 2, honoured eight graduates and 15 students in total, alongside their parents, relatives and invited guests. Each graduate received a special gift donated by JN Money Services and presented by Claude Thompson, the regional manager of JN Money Services Ltd.

They were guests of Jamaican couple and community stalwarts Paul and Jacqueline Barnett, who for more than 20 years have been supporting Jamaicans studying in Canada. The pair founded the organisation, Community Support for Black International Students (CSBIS), after meeting with some students who expressed their concerns and challenges.

When Jacqueline realised that the students were graduating – some with honours – and that most did not have any relatives in Canada, she and Paul decided they had to be celebrated.

Working alongside the students, they created a network of support for them.

Over the past three years, approximately 30 students – including locals – have joined the group. The majority, however, are international students from Jamaica, other Caribbean countries and Africa.

The students attend mainly three postgraduate institutions, McMaster University and Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, and Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.

Winsome Plummer, president of the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, says the efforts of the Barnetts have played a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth integration for the students.

“Many of the graduates are also current members of the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, highlighting the strong community bond and support network that exists within our organisation,” she said.

Support network

Najay Gayle, attended Manning’s High School in Westmoreland and later completed the two-year computer systems technician course at Mohawk College. He contacted the Barnetts during his first year when his father died and pursuing his studies became a financial challenge, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Barnetts offered financial support.

Gayle said the celebration meant a lot, and he was glad that the work of the students had not gone unnoticed.

Today, he is involved in the community through the church he attends in Hamilton, as well as his job in the information technology department of a local company. He is also co-owner with a fellow graduate in a consulting company, Aide Services. The venture helps small businesses with graphic design, website design, social media management and offers advisory services.

Abigail Williams attended Manchester High School in Mandeville, then pursued architectural technician studies for two years at Mohawk College in Canada.

“The group was very supportive. They would have events where they would give food baskets to students. If you needed advice with anything, probably your visa or passport, they were always there to help you.”

She was especially pleased that her parents were present at the dinner and able to meet the group.

“I was very happy that we were able to be there and for them to get an understanding of what this community group does,” said Williams, who now lives in London, Ontario, with her aunt.

Deja-Lee Thompson, an alumna of DeCarteret College in Mandeville, Manchester studied biotechnology at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

“When I moved to Canada initially, I didn’t know many other Jamaicans. It was refreshing to find a group of persons who was so supportive ... affiliated with other international students and other people who migrated to Canada.”

She was unable to attend the graduation celebration but said she was honoured that it was held.

Last year, Thompson worked in water and waste-water systems with Lambton College in Sarnia helping small to medium-sized businesses to determine the feasibility of their projects.

Some of the students have formed a small musical band that performed at the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton’s annual banquet and the Jamaica Day event. Others are involved as youth leaders and praise and worship team leaders in the churches they attend.

The students met Jamaica’s consul general Kurt Davis and his wife Dr Susan Robinson-Davis, who expressed an interest in hearing about their plans and experiences in Canada as international students.

The support network has also connected students with a lawyer who provided pro bono services for their visa status, directed them to the Jamaican Consulate for passport services, and guided them on manoeuvring the Canadian post-secondary school system. Grace Foods has supported the students by donating food supplies at Christmas.