Invest in Waterhouse – Fraser-Pryce

Multiple Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce believes that if given the opportunity, the young people in her Waterhouse Community, can reach heights of excellence as she has done.

She was speaking at the launch of the third annual Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce/Hugh Senior 5k Run/Walk at Penwood Church of Christ yesterday.

The event which is named after the church’s late pastor, was created to improve the lives of young persons in the community by giving them scholarship opportunities for primary, secondary and tertiary education. The event is scheduled to take place on January 18, 2020.

Fraser-Pryce, who is the Executive Director of the initiative, is appreciative of the growth and support of the event and stated that she is proof that the community is worth investing in.

Pleased

“I’m especially pleased because I am a product of Waterhouse and that should give you enough guarantee that when we invest in the education of the children in Waterhouse, you are investing in a Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce,” she said.

The run, which started in 2018, was first held in the Waterhouse community, but next year’s staging will see a change in location, moving from Waterhouse to New Kingston with Emancipation Park as the starting point.

Fraser-Pryce says the partners, who have devoted their resources to the cause, will be able to see positive results reflected in the improvement of the personal lives of young persons and the impact that they can make on society and their own community.

“You the sponsors, who are here today are investing in raw, creative talent. Talented individuals from the community of Waterhouse that at the end of the day, when you look back at your interest, your interest will be sitting at your offices, your interests will be on the television ads, probably the next Prime Minister,” Fraser-Pryce said.

Assistant Logistics Coordinator, John Henry, echoed similar sentiments, reaffirming that similar programmes will enable Waterhouse to demonstrate their potential to Jamaica and the global community.

“We believe that if we are afforded an opportunity, we will prove ourselves to be world beaters,” Henry said.

The event has a part of the Running Events Jamaica Calendar since its inception and has seen yearly growth from 440 patrons in it’s inaugural year to 770 last year. The initiative has able to grant scholarships to a total of 19 young people valued just under $1 million dollars.