Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

Mandeville, Manchester:

Eleven students returning to university and high school had the financial burden of their parents lightened with assistance from the Manchester Co-operative Credit Union (MCCU).

The students are enrolled at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), the University of the West Indies (UWI), the University of Technology (UTech), Bishop Gibson High, DeCarteret College, Glenmuir High, Manchester High and Knox College.

Jholein Marshall received this year's Sydney Carter Scholarship to study at UTech. The scholarship, which is awarded annually, was established in recognition of the contributions made by the late Sydney Rowel Carter to the credit union movement.

Significant role

He played a significant role in forming the MCCU and served as its manager for a number of years. Mr. Carter also served as a vice-principal of Holmwood Technical High School in Christiana and was co-founder of the Middlesex Co-operative Credit Union Ltd.

Venetta Swaby, a past recipient of the scholarship, encouraged the students who received assistance to make good use of the help and urged them to become role models for others. She said that she, like many other young people, had the will and desire to achieve, but funding was the obstacle. Swaby said she would be eternally grateful to MCCU and endeavour to give back to Jamaica, allowing others to benefit from a good education.

Deserving students

General manager of the MCCU, Cynthia Briscoe, pointed out that the scholarships and bursaries are only some of the means by which the MCCU is playing its role in trying to give needy and deserving students of the parish a chance to reach their goal.

The presentation function took place at the International Chinese Restaurant on Tuesday, September 6, with Charmaine Gooden-Monteith of the Ministry of Education as guest speaker. Donovon Jones, chairman of MCCU, and President Claude Rattray also attended the function.