Sat | Sep 14, 2024

Massy Distribution Ja celebrates 25 years

Scholarship programme transforms lives of over 300 students since inception

Published:Friday | August 30, 2024 | 12:06 AM
Mervelyn Harvey-Doughorty (centre), AVP & head of human resources at Massy Distribution Jamaica Limited, poses alongside students who are about to embark on the next chapter of their journey – high school. From left: Steve Plummer – heading to Jamaica
Mervelyn Harvey-Doughorty (centre), AVP & head of human resources at Massy Distribution Jamaica Limited, poses alongside students who are about to embark on the next chapter of their journey – high school. From left: Steve Plummer – heading to Jamaica College; Mickaelia Edwards – heading to the Cedar Grove Academy; Gabrielle Wellington – heading to Campion College; and Darius White – heading to St Jago High School.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Massy Distribution Jamaica Limited, has awarded $550,000 in bursaries to 25 outstanding students and children of Massy employees. This initiative is part of the company’s broader efforts to nurture academic excellence and support community development.

This year’s bursary recipients, included 10 students from Balmagie Primary, 10 from St Patrick’s Primary, and five children of Massy employees. Each student was awarded a $20,000 bursary, a gift-basket brimming with Massy products, a certificate of achievement, and a fun-filled day at Buzzers Arcade in Portmore, St Catherine.

“Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal growth, and we are committed to empowering our youths to reach their full potential,” Mervelyn Harvey-Doughorty, AVP and head of human resources at Massy Distribution Jamaica, noted in a release from the company. “This year’s recipients have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and a strong commitment to their education, embodying the bright future we envision for Jamaica.”

The release noted further that beyond the bursary awards, Massy Distribution Jamaica has been actively involved in the lives of the students from Balmagie Primary and St Patrick’s Primary, both of which the company has adopted since 1999. The support extends to sponsorship of breakfast programmes, participation in school events like sports days and prize-givings, and provision of essential school and office supplies.

Additionally, the children have enjoyed memorable activities such as Sip and Paint events, movie treats at Palace Cineplex, and game days at Buzzers Arcade.

BREAK CYCLE OF POVERTY

Susan White, principal of St Patrick’s Primary School expressed gratitude to the distribution company for its continued support. “The Waterhouse community, being a low socioeconomic community, benefits a great deal from the assistance of our business partners such as massy Distributions.

It is a way of providing opportunities for our students to break the cycle of poverty which currently exists in this community by facilitating their studies. Our St.

Patrick’s students are equally, and in many cases, maybe even more talented than some students in better served communities but are in need of the support and resources to really showcase these talents and abilities. It’s so important for the private sector to invest in the human resources in their communities so as to help our students to one day become assets to their businesses, and further, to help grow the community and the nation as a whole. This is also a way of contributing to social programmes to rid communities like ours of crime and violence. We are so grateful for the continued support of the Massy Distributions family.”

Some of this year’s recipients will go on to attend Campion College, Kingston College, Westwood High School, Calabar High School, Jamaica College, Merl Grove High School, Alpha Academy, St Andrew High School for Girls, The Queen’s School, Excelsior High School, St Jago High School, and Cedar Grove Academy.

Sophia Benjamin, mother of track star Kimmoya Baxter who was a recipient of this year’s Bursary award, shared that the financial support from Massy Distribution has been particularly helpful for Kimmoya and their family.

“I was so happy that my daughter received the Massy bursary. It’s a great opportunity for students to get financial assistance for their education and to prepare our daughters or sons for the new school year. We used the funds to cover essential education expenses like tuition fees, textbooks, and other school supplies. Without having the worry of the finances, it has helped Kimmoya to focus on her academics and her track career and helped me to be able to support her even more in her endeavours, both mentally and emotionally.”

Since 1999, Massy Distribution Jamaica has been a pillar of educational support, providing scholarships to over 300 students. The company’s dedication to the transformative power of education has been the driving force behind its continued investment in the futures of young Jamaicans. As the Bursary Awards programme celebrates 25 years, Massy Distribution Jamaica remains steadfast in its commitment to educational development.