Goodheart | The Healthy Woman launches foundation, supports education with Future Leaders Scholarship
Published:Saturday | June 15, 2024 | 3:48 PMKeisha Hill/ Senior Gleaner Writer
The Healthy Woman Limited has taken the next step in its evolution with the creation of its charitable arm, The Healthy Woman Foundation Limited, and the identification of its first five awardees under its Future Leaders Scholarship. A long-time dream of Chief Executive Officer Nichelle Nembhard, the scholarship represents her desire to give back in meaningful and practical ways to the Jamaican education system.
Nembhard is a 26-year-old business-owner who grew up in Spanish Town, St Catherine in a single-parent household. The Healthy Woman Limited, is an herbal manufacturing company located in Portmore, St Catherine.
“The Healthy Woman Foundation was started to reduce the financial barrier to accessing tertiary education for young persons from low-income households. Our goal is to create future leaders and entrepreneurs who will make a valuable contribution to our country and the next generation,” Nembhard told GoodHeart.
“The mission of The Healthy Woman Foundation is to also financially help and empower students to get the education they need to move themselves forward to build successful careers in business or science,” she added.
Five students have benefited from the Future Leaders Scholarship that is being administered under the foundation. Each student was awarded $100,000 that will go towards their first-year university tuition fees.
“As someone who grew up poor and in a single-parent household, it was a constant struggle for my mother to find the basics like lunch money and school supplies to send me and my siblings to school. I know first-hand how it feels to go to school without a proper pair of shoes. Entrepreneurship is what took myself and my family out of poverty, so I want to help students get the education they need to move themselves forward to build successful careers,” Nembhard said.
To qualify for the Future Leaders Scholarship, students must be in upper sixth, topping their classes in business or science subjects and have been accepted to a tertiary institution. Scholarships are paid directly to the tertiary institution.
The high schools that were chosen to benefit from this programme include St Catherine High, Bridgeport High, Ascot High and Nembhard’s alma mater, Spanish Town High, where two recipients received awards.
The recipients from these institutions included Jaunel Jodi-Ann McFarlane, Danae Jones, Brizannie Craig, Abigail Morris, and Anika Amelia Green. All have received their acceptance letters to tertiary education institutions, including The Mico University College, The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, The University of the West Indies, Mona, and The University of Technology.
“Receiving this scholarship is a dream come true. It not only validates all the hard work and dedication I have put into my studies, but it also provides me with the financial freedom to pursue my academic goals without worry. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited for what the future holds,” said Abigail Morris, one of the scholarship recipients from Spanish Town High.
Brizannie Craig, another recipient from Spanish Town High, said the scholarship meant the world to her. “It is a testament to the countless hours I have invested in my education and a significant step toward achieving my career aspirations. The support and recognition from this award inspire me to strive even harder and give back to my community,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, a surprised Anika Green at Bridgeport High said she was really excited to receive the scholarship. “Honestly, I did not expect to receive this scholarship. And I am really, really excited to get this opportunity to help with my tertiary education. I feel really amazing!”
Expressing appreciation for the scholarship programme, Damion Lawrence, principal of Spanish Town High said the financial assistance will go a far way in helping the students. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Miss Nembhard for her invaluable contribution to our students’ educational journey. Her scholarships will make a remarkable difference in the lives of these deserving students, empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations,” he said.
Started in 2020, The Healthy Woman Limited was built by Nembhard after her disappointment with a series of unfulfilling and underpaying jobs. She decided to start her own business offering 100 per cent all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO products and nutritional herbs to help people struggling with reproductive and health issues.
“Many people are daunted by the thought of giving back to their community because of financial constraints. But in speaking to the principals of a number of these schools, we realise that guidance, support, mentorship and love is what is most needed. All of which are free. So, people can start there! Spend some time at your past school. Give of your time. Small efforts can go a long way when it comes to motivating our future leaders,” Nembhard said.